Supermarket displays of British gammon 'still have a lot to be desired'

NPA argues that if retailers want the convenience of a thriving British pig sector on their doorstep then it's essential they make a special effort to support British pig farmers over the Christmas period
NPA argues that if retailers want the convenience of a thriving British pig sector on their doorstep then it's essential they make a special effort to support British pig farmers over the Christmas period

Supermarket displays of British gammon have improved over the past week, but by and large they still leave a lot to be desired, reports NPA today in its second GammonWatch bulletin.

NPA's GammonWatch villains this week are Asda and Aldi.

Surveys by NPA members show Asda has only 4 percent British gammon shelf-facings, versus imported shelf-facings. "Aldi is even worse… NPA surveyors didn't find any British gammon shelf-facings at all."

"The Asda result doesn't come as much surprise but Aldi is a disappointment as it's one of NPA's hundred-percenters on British pork and clearly does recognise the commercial arguments for supporting domestic producers", says the NPA.

"On a brighter note, last week's GammonWatch villain — Tesco — has improved its displays slightly, up from 14 percent British facings to 17 percent, and Sainsbury's (a hundred-percenter on fresh pork) has improved markedly, up from 17 percent to 23 percent."

Although plenty of British high-welfare, traceable, farm-assured pork is available for the Christmas gammon market, some retailers have traditionally imported their Christmas offer from Denmark and the Netherlands.

But as producer prices tumble, NPA is urging retailers to support British pig farmers this Christmas, by sourcing more British gammon — and making sure it gets the best display positions.

NPA argues that if retailers want the convenience of a thriving British pig sector on their doorstep, producing reliable supplies 52 weeks of the year of a quality-assured, traceable, high-welfare product, then it's essential they make a special effort to support British pig farmers over the Christmas period.

A year ago the industry's Standard Pig Price stood at 151p a kilo and today it is down to below 127p, and still falling. Taking all costs into consideration, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board sees current break-even price for producers at around 139p.