Irish pig farmers are smiling at higher prices, the Irish Farmers Association reported.

Prices for pork advanced another €0.04 ($0.04)/kg, leaving Irish pig farmers receiving prices from a base of €1.66 ($1.77)/kg to above €1.70 ($1.81)/kg.

“The increased competition between pig factories, most notable in the northern part of the country and in Northern Ireland, has been driving the upper end of prices and these plants are still the most anxious to secure sufficient pig numbers on a weekly basis,” IFA said in a report on its website.

IFA said stocks of pork and bacon are “virtually non-existent” in Ireland, with all indications pointing toward strong domestic and export markets for the coming months.