The Irish Farmers’ Association has accused retailers such as Dunnes Stores and other retailers of killing the Irish pig industry by using pig meat as a loss leader to stimulate profits.
The association says that supermarkets have corned the pig industry, choking the livelihoods of producers, by selling pork at prices well below cost price.
At a protest by pig farmers outside the Dunnes Stores head office in Dublin, IFA president Padraig Walshe said pork, bacon and ham are being used by retailers as a loss leader to attract customers in an ongoing battle over market share.
He commented further that Irish pig producers are losing over €25 per pig and have been making losses on every pig sold for the last eight months. Some losses have amounted up to €100,000 and the industry is facing bankruptcy.
He concluded that there is a massive abuse of power by retailers in the food chain.
Related website: