Pig farms in Scotland could vanish if urgent measures are not taken, farmers have cautioned, as declining prices mean they are incurring losses on every animal they raise. Over the past four months alone, the number of pigs being reared across the country has decreased by 10 per cent, as producers attempt to shield themselves from further financial setbacks.
The National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) has issued a stark warning that without immediate intervention from the government, retailers, and consumers, a vital sector of Scottish agriculture could be permanently lost. This would not only threaten an age-old industry but also jeopardise a significant portion of the nation's food supply.
Farmers are placing their hopes on a Scotland-wide advertising campaign, set to launch next month, which will encourage shoppers to purchase more Scottish-reared bacon, chops, and pork joints. Andrew Connon, President of NFUS, stated: 'Scotland's pig sector is under severe and sustained pressure, with producers facing ongoing financial losses that are now driving rapid herd reduction. The sector is now at a critical point. Without urgent action on pricing, fairness, and market structure, Scotland risks irreversible loss of production capacity.'
NFUS estimates that approximately 10 per cent of the Scottish herd has been lost since the start of the year, as farmers have been forced to cull breeding sows due to weak demand. The union explained that the economics of pig farming have become 'increasingly unsustainable,' with the cost of rearing each animal calculated at around £1.88 per kg, while farmers receive as little as £1.52 per kg. For an average farmer with a 500-strong herd, the accumulated loss could reach up to £500,000 per year.
Mr Connon added that if the industry shrinks further, recovery will be 'increasingly difficult if not impossible.' NFU Scotland is urging retailers and food processors to help ensure farmers receive a higher price for their products, and is also calling on the Scottish government to provide urgent assistance for pig farmers, as well as promoting Scottish pork at every level of the public sector, including schools.
Last week, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) unveiled a new rebranded logo called 'Prime Scottish Pork' to reinforce the meat's local provenance, nutritional benefits, and high standards. The rebrand will be supported by a Scotland-wide consumer marketing campaign across TV, billboards, and social media running between June and August. Emma Heath, QMS Director of Marketing, said: 'The Prime Scottish Pork rebrand is about giving our pork sector the strongest possible platform for the future. As one of the top three shopper motivations when buying red meat, alongside animal welfare and being quality assured, our research tells us that provenance matters deeply to Scottish shoppers, and this evolution allows us to tell the Scottish pork story more clearly, more confidently, and more consistently alongside Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb.'
