British Pig Executive Chairman Stewart Houston has written to retailer and foodservice leaders warning pigmeat producers in Britain and the rest of Europe are facing major feed price rises and calling for an increase in pork prices.
The long hot summer resulted in a poorer harvest which has seen European feed prices rise dramatically - with more price hikes predicted.
The average price of feed wheat has already risen 50%
and, as feed makes up half the cost of rearing pigs, producers face a 25% rise in their costs.
Next summer’s harvest could also be poor as planting has been disrupted by the weather.
Stewart Houston, who is also chairman of the National Pig Association, said: “British pig producers are facing a desperate situation. This is a Europe-wide problem and needs to be tackled by the EU.
“With prices even higher in mainland Europe, feed is being sucked out of the UK, accelerating the problems here.”
Houston has written to food and farming minister Lord Whitty, asking that he urgently seeks a solution from the European Commission.
“There is pressure for the cost of imported pigmeat to rise as well. If the whole supply chain does not take action, there will be another exodus from the pig industry which would cause even more problems for our rural economy in the future.”
BPEX chief executive Mick Sloyan said: “This is a problem which could be with us for some time.
“The British pig meat supply chain will not be sustainable if feed and pig prices stay where they are.
“The gap must be closed or we are likely to see a substantial decline in pork production across Europe.”
Kit Davies
The long hot summer resulted in a poorer harvest which has seen European feed prices rise dramatically - with more price hikes predicted.
The average price of feed wheat has already risen 50%
and, as feed makes up half the cost of rearing pigs, producers face a 25% rise in their costs.
Next summer’s harvest could also be poor as planting has been disrupted by the weather.
Stewart Houston, who is also chairman of the National Pig Association, said: “British pig producers are facing a desperate situation. This is a Europe-wide problem and needs to be tackled by the EU.
“With prices even higher in mainland Europe, feed is being sucked out of the UK, accelerating the problems here.”
Houston has written to food and farming minister Lord Whitty, asking that he urgently seeks a solution from the European Commission.
“There is pressure for the cost of imported pigmeat to rise as well. If the whole supply chain does not take action, there will be another exodus from the pig industry which would cause even more problems for our rural economy in the future.”
BPEX chief executive Mick Sloyan said: “This is a problem which could be with us for some time.
“The British pig meat supply chain will not be sustainable if feed and pig prices stay where they are.
“The gap must be closed or we are likely to see a substantial decline in pork production across Europe.”
Kit Davies
No comments yet