Global bacon shortage on the table

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A worldwide shortage of bacon and pork next year is "unavoidable", according to Britain's National Pig Association.

The group says the European Union pig herd is declining at a "significant rate", a trend it said is mirrored across the globe, and warned prices could double by the end of next year.

"Pig farmers have been plunged into loss by high pig-feed costs, caused by the global failure of maize and soya harvests," the association said in a statement.

All the main European pig-producing countries have reported shrinking sow herds, the NPA said.

The group has launched the Save Our Bacon campaign, claiming an increase in prices so pig farmers can remain in production would help avert the crisis.

"British supermarkets know they have to raise the price they pay Britain's pig farmers or risk empty spaces on their shelves next year," NPA chairman Richard Longthorp said. "But competition is so fierce in the high street at present, each is waiting for the other to move first."

British Pig executive Mick Sloyan warned a last week that a fall of only 2 per cent in slaughterings next year will cause prices to rise by 10 per cent.

NPA believed slaughterings could fall by as much as 10 per cent in the second half of next year, causing the price of European pork and pork products to double.

- nzherald.co.nz