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The Irish Pig Sector

Pig production in Ireland ranks third in importance behind beef & milk production accounting for 7.2% of Gross Agricultural Output. Employment in the pig sector accounts for at least 1,300 labour units on farms, with the total number employed in associated sectors such as pig meat processing, feed manufacture, haulage and services being estimated at 8,300. There is an estimated 290 commercial sow herds in Ireland and the June 2019 CSO Livestock Survey reported that there are 1.6 million pigs in Ireland, including 143,300 breeding sows. In 2019 Ireland exported an estimated 254,000 tonnes of pigment to 76 different export markets. The UK was the main Irish pigmeat market receiving 53% of our total pigmeat exports, 18% was exported to Continental EU and the remaining 29% went to international markets.

The National Pig Herd Performance Report is developed annually using the Teagasc e-Profit Monitoring (ePM) recording system. Producers record their production and financial data on a quarterly or annual basis to their Pig Specialist Advisor. The national report is the detailed analysis of the performance of herds that participated in the ePM system in 2019 and is available by clicking the booklet image below.

Some of the key performance indicators and trends from the report are detailed in the figure below: 

 

See below for information for pig producers regarding Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS).