- Support available to those most at risk from drop in pig
prices
A new £2 million support scheme for Scotland's independent pig
producers has been launched to help with the significant market
challenges facing the sector.
The funding aims to support farms most at risk from a prolonged
drop in pig prices, which is threatening businesses and the
long-term viability of the Prime Scottish Pork brand. Scotland
has lost an estimated 15% of sows in the independent sector since
the start of the year and four producers have already exited the
market.
Pig price falls have been driven by a combination of EU market
weakness, processing disruption, seasonal plant constraints and
ongoing supply chain pressure, while lower European pricing
continues to exert downward pressure across UK markets.
As independent producers have consistently been receiving
substantially lower market prices than normal, those eligible
will be able to claim the difference between the price they
received for their pigs and 85% of the Standard Pig Price (SPP),
which is the average UK deadweight price.
The scheme will open to applications from 15 July. The support
will apply retrospectively to losses incurred since March, with
provision for the scheme to continue until August 2026.
Rural Affairs Secretary said:
The pig sector is going through an incredibly difficult time, and
I want to do all we can to help the most vulnerable farms.
"The price shock is being felt across the UK, which is why I am
taking action - in a challenging financial context - to provide
an additional £2 million of direct support to independent
Scottish pig producers who have been hit hardest.
This vital funding, which is only available in Scotland, will
help protect local jobs, sustain Scotland's pork supply chain,
safeguard the Prime Scottish Pork brand, and protect the
production of high-quality, high welfare, locally produced food.
"I have also written to the UK Government calling for urgent
action to support the pig industry, including following our
example and increasing resources and investment to improve
biosecurity at our borders to prevent diseases such as African
Swine Fever entering the country. Outbreaks of the disease in
Europe have exacerbated the price issues facing the sector.
Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) Chair Kate Rowell said:
The Scottish Government's funding support for the Scottish pig
sector is greatly appreciated and will provide much needed
practical and mental relief from the significant pressures our
producers are currently under.
As a result of plummeting producer confidence, breeding sow
slaughter jumped by nearly 40% year-on-year at Scottish abattoirs
in the first five months of 2026, with implications for future
pork production levels. QMS alongside key partners representing
the Scottish pig industry continues to work closely with Scottish
Government to tackle this critical issue and the profitability
challenges being faced.
A recent independent survey commissioned by QMS showed unwavering
consumer support for local produce, with eight out of 10
respondents in Scotland saying they want their supermarkets to
prioritise stocking Scottish red meat over imported alternatives.
This funding will help support availability of local pork now and
in the future, safeguard the Prime Scottish Pork Brand and the
survival of the Scottish pig sector, which is worth around £300
million to Scotland.
Roderic Bruce, United Pig Coordinator Board Director for
Scotland, said:
The Scottish Government's £2 million support package is extremely
welcome and will provide much-needed assistance to pig producers
during an exceptionally difficult period. On behalf of our
co-operative members, we recognise that while this funding cannot
fully compensate for the shockingly poor market prices currently
being offered, it will help bridge part of the gap and provide
some relief at a time when producers are receiving significantly
less for their pigs than they were this time last year, when all
pigs were being sold at market value.
The prolonged period of poor returns has left many producers
seriously questioning their future in the industry. While this
support is not a long-term solution, it may provide enough
breathing space to delay some producers from exiting the sector
and help maintain confidence until market conditions improve.
Background
Details about eligibility and how to apply will be available on
the Scottish Government's website when the support scheme opens
on 15 July.
Pig producers under the same ownership as the operators of the
abattoir will not be eligible for the scheme.
The latest UK Standard Pig Price (SPP) is 175.70pence per kg
deadweight, for the week ending 4July2026 which is more than
30p/kg lower than the same time last year. Pork markets | AHDB
In November 2019, Scottish Ministers agreed to the establishment
of a dedicated detector dog service delivered by Border Force for
the detection of products of animal origin in Scotland's airports
and ports.
