The Tesco Sustainable Pig Group (TSPG) has expanded as the retailer strengthens its long-term support for British pig farmers.
The expansion will mean the number of pigs supplied through the scheme will grow by almost 30%.
The TSPG will now cover around 23% of Tesco’s British pork supply and 15% of its total pigmeat supply.
It also produces all of Tesco’s Finest fresh pork, with the aim of producing all of Tesco’s core fresh pork and sausages and extending this to more products in the pigmeat category over the next two years.
Sofina has joined the group with all farmers benefiting from long-term contracts, which Sofina group agriculture director Graham Wilkinson said would provide farmers with “greater confidence and stability, enabling investment in sustainable production while maintaining high animal welfare and environmental standards”.
“It also further strengthens our long-standing relationship with Tesco, which is built on shared values and a shared commitment to supporting farming communities for the long term.”
The expansion represents an additional annual investment of nearly £2m into the British pig farming sector, with the group estimated to be worth over £670m over the initial three years.
The move coincides with a 20% year-on-year increase in Tesco’s British pigmeat volumes, with British pork now accounting for 65% of total pigmeat sales.
The group, which was relaunched last year in partnership with Cranswick, sees farmers receive a combination of cost of production and market price and incentives, giving producers greater stability in pricing and help to support longer-term investment.
“Our own farming expertise, long-standing partnership with Tesco, and aligned independent producers will undoubtedly accelerate the transition to higher-welfare indoor systems and sustainable agricultural practices,” said Adam Couch, CEO of Cranswick. “We are excited to see the progress of this market-leading approach and how it can benefit both producers and consumers alike.”
Within the TSPG, more than 80% of pigs are bred to higher-welfare standards, including outdoor-bred or dynamic farrowing systems. All farmers in the group track carbon footprint data and are working to reduce emissions.
“Conditions for our dedicated British farmers continue to be challenging – as British agriculture’s biggest customer, we want to do all we can to drive growth in the sector and improve supply chain resilience,” said Natalie Smith, head of sustainable agriculture and fisheries at Tesco. “The expansion of our Tesco Sustainable Pig Group is a key part of this aim.
“The group provides our British pig farmers with real incentives to invest in key welfare, sustainability and efficiency improvements, including the switch to dynamic farrowing systems, while our customers benefit from even more quality British pork.”
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