LIVESTOCK farmers can look forward to increased demand for their produce with the news that Co-operative supermarket is to abandon selling imported meat to concentrate purely on British – and it’s the pig industry that is likely to benefit most.
According to figures from the National Pig Association, almost a 10th of meat imports into the UK come from Denmark, of which the vast majority accounts for pig meat and totals a whopping £550m into Britain. This compares to imports of lamb from New Zealand which amount to £291m.
The supermarket, which is the UK’s sixth largest food chain with 2500 stores, claims it is backing British due mostly to consumer demand. It also makes economic sense when the value of sterling has slipped against most currencies making imports more expensive. 
Significantly, it’s good news for farming, and one which the pig industry has welcomed. 
Andy McGowan, chief executive of Scottish Pig Producers said: “It’s great news for the British pig industry and particularly for us here in Scotland when the Co-op is one of the biggest customers to the new pig plant at Brechin.
“We can now put pressure on the other supermarkets to follow suit and back Scottish and British farmers,” he added.
Further south, Ian Paragreen, chief executive of Scotlean Pigs based in Carlisle said: “It’s good news for the British pig industry and should generate some healthy competition. 
“It’s great to see the supermarket back British produce which in turn should help boost confidence in the sector and encourage more younger people into the industry.”
Backing up these statements, Stuart Ashworth, chief economist at Quality Meat Scotland said: 
“The fact that the Co-op has committed themselves to buying only British meat when pig and beef prices in this country are the highest in Europe, gives our industry a huge vote of confidence. 
“It also creates an increased level of demand for pigmeat and supports current prices which are already at the highest levels seen in recent years.”
Vikki Campbell, of AHDB Pork, also said it was great news for the British pig sector which, she said, was already witnessing increased demand particularly from China, due to a declining herd on the continent and the favourable exchange rate.
The news comes with the most up to date British standard pig price standing at 156.16p/kg – the highest price achieved since September, 2014. This value is 0.58p up week on week and nearly 43p higher on the year. 
Breaking the trend recorded over the past three weeks, estimated slaughterings are also up on the week. 
At 163,200 head, throughputs were 11% up on the previous seven days, but remain 9% lower than the equivalent week in 2016. However, it is worth noting that slaughter numbers may have been reduced by Easter. 
Average carcase weights increased slightly (200g) on the week and remained relatively stable on the year at 83.50kg. 
Getting down to the nitty gritty, 30kg and 7kg weaner prices improved on the week too. 
At £58.27 per head, the 30kg weaner price is up £2.76 on the week and nearly £21 higher than the same week in 2016. 
At £40.81/head – the highest recorded since June, 2014 – the 7kg weaner price is £1 higher on the week and more than £11 up on the year. 
However, volumes of primary pork sold by UK retailers in the 12 weeks ending March 28, fell on the year, by 2.5%, while the average unit price increased, by 1.4%, according to latest data from Kantar Worldpanel. 
As a result, the total spend on pork over the period fell by 1%.