Scottish pig farmers hit by slump in pork prices

Scottish pig farmers say they are facing one of the worst downturn in decades as a glut of pork across Europe drives prices down.

Prices for pork like other meat, fluctuates, but since the start of the year the price farmers receive has dropped by around 15% – lower than many farmers in Scotland have seen in recent years.

Industry leaders warn there is too much pork in the market and not enough demand.

Producers say an ongoing outbreak of African swine fever, a contagious disease sweeping wild boar across Spain, means less pork is being exported from Europe to other countries.

Danny Skinner told STV News: “African swine fever in the wild boars in Spain meant China and the Philippines etc were not buy Spanish pig meat.

“Therefore, that amount of pig meat that was going into China is now coming into Europe, which means there’s a glut of pig meat in Europe. So, the price drops because there’s too much of it.”

At a farm in Aberdeenshire, the impact is being felt particularly hard.

The average-sized pig farm sells around 270 pigs every week, but at current prices is losing around £52,000 every month.

Since January, unions say there has been a 10% decrease in the number of breeding pigs as farmers try to curb their losses.

Danny added: “We’re used to ups and downs of the pig industry, so going to the bank and asking for a larger overdraft is nothing new, but this is probably the worst I have seen in 40 years in the pig industry.”

The Scottish Government says it is working together across the supply chain and that clear standards for pig pricing should be offered to producers.

Pork sector under threat amid soaring supplies in Europe STV News

Farmers say supermarkets could help by buying more local produce, but fear low prices may be here to stay.

“It’s a very worrying time. I’ve got a son in the business who seems keen to carry it on, and a grandson barely born. That’s four generations of pig farmers hopefully coming down the line.

“But in five years’ time, I don’t know if there will be many independent pig producers for you to interview.”

An NFU Scotland spokesperson said: “The Scottish pig sector is facing severe and sustained pressure, with many producers now selling below the cost of production and incurring significant ongoing losses. This is driving rapid herd reductions and placing the long-term future of domestic production capacity at risk.

“The Union has warned that without urgent and coordinated action across Government, retailers and the wider supply chain, Scotland risks losing a vital part of its food production base.

“NFU Scotland is actively engaging with Ministers, processors and retailers to push for immediate relief and longer-term structural change, including fairer pricing, improved transparency, stronger origin labelling and greater support for Scottish pork in retail and public procurement.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We have worked with the UK Government and other devolved administrations on supply chain fairness regulations, designed to improve and create greater fairness in the agricultural supply chain which enable producers to raise concerns with the Supply Chain Adjudicator if they feel they have been treated unfairly.

“We will continue to work with NFUS and others across industry and rural communities to protect the sustainability of farming and food production in Scotland.”