British pigmeat’s share of the fresh pork category is in rapid decline, new figures reveal.
Latest results from the industry’s PorkWatch survey, which monitors the provenance of pork, bacon and ham, show that in September, 79% of fresh pork sold in leading retailers was British, compared with 86% in November last year.
The downward trend has been driven by buying policies at all the top five grocery retailers, according to the survey results.
Between November 2004 and September this year, the percentage of British
facings in fresh pork fell from 94% to 89% at Tesco; 85% to 67% at Asda; 85% to 82% at Sainsbury; 94% to 85% at Morrisons; and 66% to 52% at Somerfield. Waitrose and Budgens stocked 100% British pork, but British facings at The Co-op fell from 92% to 81%, while those at M&S fell from 96% to 92%.
Fresh pork has traditionally been a stronghold for British pig farmers. As pig production here fell in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it was their share of bacon and ham that suffered.
However, pig output has stabilised, and farmers fear their grip on the category is slipping as producers overseas, mainly the Danes and Dutch but also the Spanish and Germans, ramp up their efforts in the category.
Meat and Livestock Commission marketing director Richard Lowe said: “There’s a fairly consistent picture, which is a gradual decline in British pork share, but with production static. It’s much more about a degree of competition around promotions and tertiary brands than it is about an inability to get supply.
“If you’re a retailer and you want 100% British pork, you can have it.”
The PorkWatch survey also showed that the number of fresh pork packs bearing the BPEX Quality Standard Mark fell from 64% to 59%.
Richard Clarke
Latest results from the industry’s PorkWatch survey, which monitors the provenance of pork, bacon and ham, show that in September, 79% of fresh pork sold in leading retailers was British, compared with 86% in November last year.
The downward trend has been driven by buying policies at all the top five grocery retailers, according to the survey results.
Between November 2004 and September this year, the percentage of British
facings in fresh pork fell from 94% to 89% at Tesco; 85% to 67% at Asda; 85% to 82% at Sainsbury; 94% to 85% at Morrisons; and 66% to 52% at Somerfield. Waitrose and Budgens stocked 100% British pork, but British facings at The Co-op fell from 92% to 81%, while those at M&S fell from 96% to 92%.
Fresh pork has traditionally been a stronghold for British pig farmers. As pig production here fell in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it was their share of bacon and ham that suffered.
However, pig output has stabilised, and farmers fear their grip on the category is slipping as producers overseas, mainly the Danes and Dutch but also the Spanish and Germans, ramp up their efforts in the category.
Meat and Livestock Commission marketing director Richard Lowe said: “There’s a fairly consistent picture, which is a gradual decline in British pork share, but with production static. It’s much more about a degree of competition around promotions and tertiary brands than it is about an inability to get supply.
“If you’re a retailer and you want 100% British pork, you can have it.”
The PorkWatch survey also showed that the number of fresh pork packs bearing the BPEX Quality Standard Mark fell from 64% to 59%.
Richard Clarke
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