UK | Tesco has announced the expansion of its Tesco Sustainable Pig Group (TSPG), with the number of pigs supplied through the scheme growing by almost 30 percent.
Following the expansion, the TSPG will now cover around 23 percent of Tesco’s British pork supply and 15 percent of its total pig meat supply. 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.
The move coincides with a 20 percent year-on-year increase in Tesco’s British pig meat volumes, with British pork now accounting for 65 percent of total pig meat sales.
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, market price, and incentives, giving producers greater pricing stability and helping support longer-term investment.
As part of the expansion, Tesco's pork supplier, Sofina, has joined the group, with all farmers benefiting from long-term contracts. The expansion represents an additional, annual investment of nearly GBP two million into the British pig farming sector, with the group estimated to be worth over GBP 670 million over the initial three years.
The group has played a significant role in developing Tesco’s approach to sustainable production, providing a forum for suppliers, farmers and Tesco colleagues to come together and improve welfare, innovation, quality standards and collaboration.
Tesco’s Sustainable Farming Groups across milk, cheese, beef, lamb, pigs, and potatoes provide forums for farmers and suppliers to come together with Tesco colleagues to discuss best practice in areas such as sustainability, biodiversity, and animal welfare.
