British pigs in blankets scarce this Christmas as UK pork industry shrinks 20pc in a year
Shoppers looking for British pigs in blankets and locally reared gammon to serve this Christmas may be forced to buy EU meat instead, the industry has warned.
Supermarkets will be stocking less British meat this winter, after higher feed prices forced farmers to rear fewer animals.
The shortfall will show up over Christmas, which is traditionally the busiest period for pork demand, as people stock up on gammons, pigs in blankets and stuffing for the festive period.
Official estimates suggest there has been a significant drop-off in Britain’s breeding pig herd, down by almost 20pc on last year by June. The numbers are expected to have fallen even further since, as farmers face spiralling costs in energy and animal feed.
Lizzie Wilson, chief executive of the National Pig Association, warned that this meant there was “a hole in supply coming”, meaning shoppers were likely to see less choice for British cuts on supermarket shelves.
“Up until this point, retailers have been really good at buying British pork,” she said. “However, they can’t ignore the fact that EU imported pig meat is significantly cheaper than British.”
The UK is already importing more pig meat from Spain and Belgium as the cost of domestic supply climbs, Ms Wilson warned.
With fewer pigs coming through the system and the sow herd at the smallest it has been in 20 years, “we are definitely going to see less British pork available”, Ms Wilson added.
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