Small-scale UK pig farmers face collapse as prices plummet

Summarised from BBC Dorset's report · Updated 20 Oct, 07:50 · Archive

Rare breed saddleback piglets sold for just £2 each at market, forcing small-scale producers to question the viability of farming.

Dan Bolton, who has farmed rare breed saddlebacks in Fontmell Magna for nearly a decade, recently sold nine seven-week-old piglets at market for just £2 each. He described it as a record low and warned that if prices continue to fall, "it will be the end of the road for many UK pig farmers, even the larger guys." The market waived its commission in sympathy, but Bolton was still left with a bill of £6.30.

Bolton previously reared around 150 pigs at a time, selling meat boxes and hog roasts, but rising feed, slaughter and butchery costs have forced him to scale back. He now sells remaining outdoor-bred piglets at market for usually less than £10 each. According to the National Pig Association, which represents commercial producers, demand for pork is falling and independent producers are selling up. Bolton noted that low prices affect not just rare breeds but commercial breeds too across the markets he visits.

Read the report

• Is this the end for small-scale pig farming?Dan Bolton says small-scale pig farming is not sustainable after his saddleback piglets sold for £2.BBC Dorset · 20 Oct, 06:03

In this story: Dan Bolton · Fontmell Magna · North Dorset · National Pig Association · Sturminster Newton

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem