The UK pork industry

The European pig meat sector faces a major crisis. The Euro is currently very strong against the dollar, feed prices are very high due to drought and consumer demand for pork is low. These factors come on top of the usual cyclical fluctuations. The products concerned are fresh or frozen half-carcasses, all main cuts, fresh (such as hams, shoulders, fore-ends and bellies) and certain cuts, frozen.

Pork producers across the world, including the uk pork industry, have joined forces to tackle the threat to the industry posed by rocketing feed prices. Wheat prices, one of the main constituents of pig feed, have doubled over the last year and pig producers need a rise in what they are paid or the industry will go into meltdown. At present they are losing anything up to £26 for every pig they send to slaughter.

The most significant issue for the uk pork industry is that of feed costs, for most producers feed costs represent more than 70% of pork production costs. Worldwide grain prices have more than doubled as a result of poor harvests associated with difficult climatic conditions, but the most significant impact has been caused by the massive growth in demand for grain to produce biofuels, and in many countries there are significant biofuel subsidies which are further fueling this demand. In Britain we have already seen a start to pig meat price rises in some shops and supermarkets but it is vital those rises get back down the supply chain to the producer as fast as possible.

British consumers have reluctantly agreed to dig deeper into their pockets in order to help secure the future of quality British pork supplies. Consumers are only willing to pay a few pence extra to cover rising production costs and support British farmers. If the British supermarkets will not agree to increase the prices that they pay then farmers stand to lose millions in the next year alone and many faces going out of business. People really do care about the food they eat and the people who produce it. They want farmers to be paid a fair price and are prepared to contribute a few pence more to protect the future of British agriculture. This sends a really strong message to the big supermarkets.

The The UK pork industry is only asking for modest increases of a few pence on a pack of pork, bacon, ham and sausages. Farmers need this increase now as many are facing ruin. Supermarkets pride themselves on listening to consumers. Well what consumers are telling them is that farmers should receive more from supermarkets. It's time for retailers to act.