The National Pig Association (NPA) has called on UK retailers, processors and the foodservice sector to provide long-term commitments to the independent pig sector.
NPA said that the future of many independent pig producers had been “cast into doubt” in recent months, as pork processors had been given notice on contracts to suppliers up and down the country.
It said that while the biggest impact had been on suppliers to Morrisons’ abattoir, run by Myton Food Group, all the big processors had reportedly responded to the current market downturn by adjusting pig supplies going forward.
NPA highlighted that in some cases, producers have had volumes cut. In others, supply arrangements had been terminated altogether, which it said left some producers with nowhere to go in six or 12 months’ time when contracts expire.
It went on to say that the market had declined since the autumn of 2025, driven by a combination of factors, including an oversupply of pigs, stagnant demand and falling EU prices that NPA said had “pressurised” UK pig prices.
The situation was reportedly “compounded by backlogs on farms”, exacerbated by factory issues and rising costs as a result of conflict in the Middle East. NPA said some producers had been left in an “extremely vulnerable position”, with herd sizes currently being trimmed and some producers considering their future in the industry.
Independent producers “critical” to industry
NPA chief executive Lizzie Wilson commented: “We are extremely concerned about the position our independent pig producers once again find themselves in. Many are currently fighting for their futures.
“The crisis of 2021 and 2022 saw a number of independent pig farms leave the sector and, while we have seen more stability since then, the inexorable rise of the integrated sector has continued as processors have acquired more independent producers.
“We understand the market context and, while we’d like to see more transparency on pricing, as far as we know, contract terms around notice periods specifically have been adhered to.”
“We call on retailers, processors and the foodservice sector to restate their commitment to British pork.”
Lizzie Wilson, NPA
Wilson continued: “But our big fear is that, if we lose more independent producers, we will begin to lose critical mass in terms of the suppliers and industry around them. Independent producers always have been and always will be critical to our ability to produce good quality pigmeat from a range of systems to the highest standards of production.
“We call on retailers, processors and the foodservice sector to restate their commitment to British pork and, in particular, our under-pressure independent producers. That means ensuring pigmeat is priced fairly and taking a longer-term view when it comes to supply arrangements, including giving producers incentives to invest.
“We know how much the British public values our great British pork products. Losing more independent producers will only make the UK even more reliant on imported pork.”
NPA suggested that the pig industry had speculated some of the activity around pig contracts may be linked to a “looming August deadline”, when they must fully comply with the new Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) regulations. The association urged producers with unfair practices ahead of the August deadline to contact Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA) Richard Thompson.
Wilson added: “The NPA has been and will continue to work with various industry stakeholders, and we call on Government ministers to meet with industry to try to identify any immediate solutions that may help producers at this extremely challenging time.”
