Consumers pay more for pork

- Published: 14 February, 2008

Consumers said they would be happy to pay a little more to help British pig producers and now they have proved it, according to figures from the British Pig Executive (BPEX).

In the first month of this year, there was a 12% rise in the volume of pork sold, despite price rises late last year.

On top of the figures for fresh pork, sausages were up 4%, bacon was up nearly 7% and sliced cooked meats such as ham rose by 4%.

BPEX and NPA chairman Stewart Houston said: "This is definitely a step in the right direction. We need all the support we can get from consumers if the British pig industry is not to become just a memory.

"Selling more high-welfare British pork is the first step, but we still need to get a fair price for our efforts. Retail prices have risen, but not enough and little if any of that extra has reached the producer."