Pork board praises tough pig farmers

TIMARU - Pork Industry Board chairman Neil Managh has paid tribute to the resilience of New Zealand pork producers, who received consistently poor returns for their product last year.

Mr Managh said in his annual report that the period from November 1998 to August 1999 returned the lowest prices to farmers for many years, with an over-supply of pork on the world market resulting in a dramatic increase in imports.

"Five years ago imported product accounted for around 10 per cent of total consumption," said Mr Managh.

"In 1999, that level reached over 30 per cent in some months and averaged 25 per cent of consumption for the full year."

The long period of poor prices had resulted in a number of pig farmers leaving the industry, but he applauded the efforts of those who were still in the business.

"The global nature of our industry now requires us to be among the best producers in the world and there is no doubt that our top performers rank with the very best internationally."

New Zealand pork producers could be proud of the high health status of the industry in comparison with overseas competitors.

The report showed the board incurred an operating deficit of $39,948, for the year ended September 30 because the national pig kill was lower than expected.

Timaru pork farmer Martin Cooper said New Zealand would always have to import pork because producers could never supply all the ham needed.

Mr Cooper, who has been farming pigs for 18 years, said that last season was the worst he had experienced, but the industry was now "ticking along" after receiving its first price rise for some time. - NZPA