Pig price drop - hog the profits

Pork prices are on the floor for full pig carcasses and falling further as the industry faces huge turmoil from the effects of both Brexit and the pandemic, coupled with challenges on slaughtering capacity and a shortage of butchers.

As a result, a huge backlog of pigs has built up and industry leaders are urging pub operators to use the opportunity to their advantage.

David Lindars, technical ops director with the British Meat Processors Association, said: “We’ve got a backlog of about 120,000 to 150,000 animals to clear, so in the build up to Christmas, with events like Halloween on the cards, full pigs for hog roasts are going at excellent prices and pubs would do well to snap them up.

“Pork prices are coming down and it’ll come down further, so it’s a real opportunity for operators that are able to pick up a full pig and put on an event in the car park.

“With the colder nights approaching, hog roasts will increase in popularity, so the opportunity to tap into the falling prices could be a great one for pub operators across the UK.”

With many pubs having increased investment into outdoor space in a response to the Covid crisis, outdoor alfresco catering could be a great way to maximise the use of that space into the colder months.

And with pork prices for full pigs on the floor, it’s never been a better time than to dust off the hogroast equipment, or even invest in hiring or buying your own to take advantage.