Tesco boosts higher welfare British pork production through expanded farmer scheme

Tesco has expanded its Tesco Sustainable Pig Group (TSPG) by almost 30 percent, increasing supplies of higher welfare British pork while strengthening long-term support for UK pig farmers.

The retailer said the expanded group now supplies around 23 percent of Tesco’s British pork and 15 percent of its total pig meat supply. The scheme already produces all Tesco Finest fresh pork products, with plans to extend production across core fresh pork and sausages, alongside more pig meat lines, within the next two years.

Tesco has also increased British pig meat volumes by 20 percent year on year, with British pork now accounting for 65 percent of total pig meat sales.

Natalie Smith, Head of Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries at Tesco, said the retailer wanted to improve supply chain resilience while helping farmers invest in welfare and sustainability improvements.

She said: “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.”

Long-term investment and welfare focus

Tesco relaunched the TSPG last year with long-term supplier Cranswick to provide farmers with greater financial stability through a combination of cost of production and market price incentives.

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.”

 

Natalie Smith, Head of Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries at Tesco

Supplier Sofina has now joined the scheme, with all participating farmers receiving long-term contracts. Tesco said the expansion represents an additional annual investment of nearly £2m into British pig farming, with the group expected to generate more than £670m over its first three years.

More than 80 percent of pigs within the TSPG now meet higher welfare standards, including outdoor bred and dynamic farrowing systems. Participating farmers are also tracking carbon footprint data as part of wider efforts to reduce emissions across the supply chain.

Graham Wilkinson, Group Agriculture Director at Sofina Foods Europe, said partnerships such as the TSPG gave producers “greater confidence and stability” during a period of rapid change for the industry.

“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,” he added.

Adam Couch, Chief Executive Officer at Cranswick, said the expansion would help “ensure the long-term viability of the sector” while accelerating the transition towards higher welfare indoor systems and more sustainable agricultural practices.