Asda buying more British pork, survey shows

Asda has increased the proportion of British pork and bacon on its shelves, according to the latest AHDB Porkwatch survey.

The survey compared the amount of British-produced pigmeat available in supermarkets during November with the levels in September and at the same stage last year.

It found 53% of the fresh pork in Asda stores during November was British. This was 22 points up on the September figure (43%) and 30 points higher than the November 2018 proportion.

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As such, it is the greatest proportion of British pigmeat on Asda’s shelves for two years.

The retailer also increased its proportion of British bacon to 32%, up from 29% in September, the AHDB survey showed.

In contrast, Tesco stores recorded a drop in home-produced fresh pork from 66% in September to just 59%, with bacon quantities also falling sharply from 43% to 33% in November.

Of the 11 retailers surveyed, the figure for fresh pork remained unchanged at 79%, while British bacon fell just 1% overall to 48% over the two autumn surveys.

Other highlights in the November survey were:

• Aldi, Budgens, Co-op, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s all had 100% British pork
• Waitrose dropped to 99% fresh pork
• Co-op, M&S and Waitrose recorded 100% British bacon
• Sainsbury’s British bacon facings increased to 55%, compared with 51% in September and 45% in November 2018.

National Pig Association chief executive Zoe Davies thanked the retailers that had shown sustained support to the British pig industry.

Dr Davies also gave a considered welcome to Asda’s increased British supply.

“We welcome signs that Asda is sourcing more British fresh pork and bacon. However, looking at the EU pork price, which has surpassed the UK’s, it is not a huge surprise.

“There is still plenty of room for improvement [for Asda] when it comes to supporting British pork producers,” she said.

“It is also encouraging to see advances made by others, including Budgens, and continued support from Aldi.

“As ever, we thank those retailers that continue to demonstrate strong support for high-quality, assured British pork products and will continue to challenge those that could do better,” Dr Davies added.