British pig industry proving profitable

The British pig industry is now profitable with margins averaging about £4 a pig. That was the message from BPEX’s Mick Sloyan speaking at the Pig and Poultry Fair, Stoneleigh on Tuesday (11 May).

The demand for British and the value of sterling against the Euro has had a significant impact on margins, but it doesn’t mean producers should become complacent, he explained.

“The margin fell in the second half of last year but has been rising since January. Though it is positive, it wouldn’t take much to see that +£2 a pig flip to -£2,” he said.

However, although the UK is making a premium of nearly 25p/kg over EU colleagues, the UK still has some work to do. “We are still behind the EU in terms of production and in order to meet targets being seen Europe we have to invest.”

“One of our priorities is to maintain the price premium we have over our competitors and we are well placed to do this. Much of it comes down to maintaining and increasing the support given by consumers in this country for quality assured product which now comes under the Red Tractor banner,” he said.

Climate change is also an issue Mr Sloyan touched on stating that since 2001 there has been an 8.2% reduction in carbon emissions through better performance on farm, with a further 17% reduction in carbon emissions predicted in the next 10 years. “Based on present trends, by 2020 the industry’s environmental impact will have fallen by as much as 30% since 2001 taking into account all environmental burdens. The top 10% will be doing even better,” he said.

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