The National Farmers Union Scotland (NFU Scotland) has described the situation in the pig sector as critical, with producers continuing to face severe economic pressure. According to industry representatives, without urgent action from the government, retailers, and other supply chain stakeholders, Scotland risks losing a significant share of its domestic pork production.
Independent producers are particularly vulnerable to the recent decline in pig prices. According to NFU Scotland, some consignments are being sold at prices up to 15% below the UK Standard Pig Price, which currently stands at approximately £1.80 per kilogram.
At the same time, production costs remain around £1.88 per kilogram, meaning producers are selling pigs below the cost of production.
NFU Scotland stresses that this situation is not temporary but structural in nature.
“This imbalance is not marginal – it is structural and unsustainable,” the union stated.
According to the organisation, many farms are currently losing between £700 and £1,000 per sow place. For a typical 500-sow operation, this could translate into annual losses exceeding £500,000.
These financial pressures are forcing producers to reconsider investment plans, scale back operations, and reduce herd sizes.
The consequences are already visible. NFU Scotland estimates that Scotland has lost around 10% of its sow herd since the beginning of 2026.
The union warns that continued contraction at this rate could push the industry below a viable production base, making recovery extremely difficult or even impossible.
In response, NFU Scotland has intensified discussions with processors and retailers and plans to raise the issue directly with the Scottish Government.
Among the sector’s key priorities are improved country-of-origin labelling, increased use of Scottish pork in retail and public procurement, enhanced investment support, and stronger promotion of domestically produced pork.
NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon said the sector has reached a critical turning point.
“The sector is now at a critical point. Without urgent action on pricing, fairness and market structure, Scotland risks irreversible loss of production capacity. We will continue to push for both immediate support measures and long-term solutions to secure a sustainable future for the industry,” he said.
Industry experts note that the difficulties facing Scottish pig producers reflect broader challenges confronting livestock sectors across Europe, including high production costs, market volatility, and growing competition in both domestic and international markets.
PigUA.info, based on materials from Pig Progress