UK supermarket Tesco has revealed that protein manufacturer Sofina Foods Europe will join the Tesco Sustainable Pig Group (TSPG), increasing the number of pigs supplied through the scheme by almost 30%.
The group, which was relaunched last year in partnership with Tesco’s long-term supplier Cranswick, sees farmers receive a combination of cost of production and market price incentives, aiming to give producers greater stability in pricing, and help to support longer-term investment.
The move reportedly coincides with a 20% year-on-year increase in Tesco’s British pig meat volumes, with British pork now accounting for 65% of total pig meat sales.
Following the expansion, the TSPG will cover around 23% of Tesco’s British pork supply, and 15% of its total pig meat supply. Tesco said the group now produces all Tesco’s Finest fresh pork, with the aim of producing all Tesco’s core fresh pork and sausages, and extending this to more products in the pig meat category over the next two years.
Graham Wilkinson, group agriculture director at Sofina Foods Europe, stated: “Sofina is proud to support Tesco’s continued development of the Tesco Sustainable Pig Group. The expansion of the group is a positive step for our independent farmers and the long-term resilience of the British pig sector.
“In a rapidly changing industry, partnerships like this provide farmers with greater confidence and stability, enabling investment in sustainable production while maintaining high animal welfare and environmental standards.
“It also further strengthens our long-standing relationship with Tesco, which is built on shared values and a shared commitment to supporting farming communities for the long term.”
Natalie Smith, head of sustainable agriculture and fisheries at Tesco, commented: “Conditions for our dedicated British farmers continue to be challenging – as British agriculture’s biggest customer, we want to do all we can to drive growth in the sector and improve supply chain resilience.
“The expansion of our Tesco Sustainable Pig Group is a key part of this aim. The group provides our British pig farmers with real incentives to invest in key welfare, sustainability and efficiency improvements, including the switch to dynamic farrowing systems, while our customers benefit from even more quality British pork.”
Tesco said that within the TSPG, more than 80% of pigs are bred to higher welfare standards, including outdoor bred or dynamic farrowing systems. All farmers in the group track carbon footprint data and are working to reduce emissions.
