A commitment by ASDA to increase its fresh pork to 80% British by next year has been welcomed by the National Pig Association (NPA) as an encouraging boost for pig farmers in the face of current low prices.
The supermarket, which accounts for over 16% of the UK’s food and drink sales, has also announced plans to move all its own-brand sausages to British pork by July.
“We are sure by promoting the quality of British pork, ASDA will grow pork sales across all its stores, particularly as a mid-week convenience food,” said NPA chairman Richard Lister.
“Tangible support like this will encourage our members to stay in production until the price we receive once again covers our costs of production.”
NPA chief executive, Dr Zoe Davies, added that the association would be discussing ASDA’s decision “milestones” over the coming weeks.
“If ASDA moves ahead at a brisk pace, it will help keep the British pig sector relatively intact at a time when real-term prices are at their lowest for 16 years,” she said.
According to the latest PorkWatch survey, the supermarket has already started to replace imported pork with fresh British pork, increasing its British fresh pork shelf-facings by 3% between November 2015 and January this year.