Pork Demand rises Pork pricing whilst remaining generally stable has started to creep upwards as demand rises due to many consumers switching to pork due to the high beef pricing. Key points: Production volumes are expected to remain relatively steady in 2025 at around 960,000 tonnes, maintained by clean pig numbers. Average carcase weights will remain around the 90 kg mark, and on-farm performance will benchmark similarly to last year. Limited growth in the female breeding herd in 2025; this is forecast to only return to 2023 levels by 2027 Exports have been a bright spot, rising 20% year- on-year in May, largely driven by China, while imports also grew (+9% month-on-month), aided by recovering German volumes and competitive EU pricing. Despite higher imports, British pork has maintained a strong retail presence. EU pig prices have rebounded, narrowing the gap with the UK, supported by tight poultry and beef supplies across Europe. Challenges continue for export markets due to increased geopolitical tensions Competitive EU product pricing and continued growth in foodservice are likely to support import volumes The EU-spec Standard Pig Price (SPP) reached 208p/kg in August, its highest this year, while production costs fell to 197p/kg, giving producers positive margins of around £8 per pig. On-farm performance remains in line with last year, though the female breeding herd is recovering only slowly (+1% in 2025), with numbers unlikely to return to 2023 levels before 2027. Source: AHDB In conclusion. Pork remains a strong value-for-money protein and widely underused. There is potential to gain further share if promoted more effectively. Growth opportunities include highlighting pork’s health benefits (B12, B6, iron, protein), emphasising versatility, and building trust with consumers. Sharing the work that farmers are doing in the UK around animal welfare, environmental stewardship and their high levels of expertise in providing quality food products will support pork consumption. www.campbellbrothers.co.uk
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