Pork farmers quit as imports soar

WELLINGTON - New Zealanders ate a record of 17kg of pork each on average last year, but pig farmers have gone out of business in droves as imports climb.

The Pork Industry Board said its promotions, as well as "extraordinarily low prices," had given people a taste for pork, but 25 per cent of pork sold last year was imported.

A steep climb in imported pork in recent years - 10 per cent of total consumption five years ago but 30 per cent in some months last year - was driven by oversupply in world markets.

At least 500 pork producers had left the industry in the past five years, leaving fewer than 500 producers in New Zealand.

The board lost nearly $39,000 last year, mostly because of a lower pig kill that reduced expected revenue by $40,000.

A bid by the board for Government help to combat the imports had been put on hold.

In Australia, which had similar legal provisions for trade relief already in place, pig producers had received a $25 million in a Government assistance package to help them combat imports.

The New Zealand industry, which had no such help, was working with Trade New Zealand to develop niche export markets. Less than 3 per cent of New Zealand pork was exported. - NZPA