Scarcity of Maltese pork down to ‘astronomical’ price of cereals

Despite marketing campaign launched in 2010 to encouraging consumers to opt for Maltese pork, there currently is a shortage of locally bred pork.

Pork Breeders Association general manager Oliver Frendo confirmed that there is a scarcity of Maltese pork on the market and he blamed this on the increasing cost of fodder.

In comments to MaltaToday, Frendo said the association had requested permission from the Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs, led by George Pullicino to increase the price of their product, in order to cover the rising production costs. However, Frendo said this request was turned down by the ministry.

An MRRA spokesperson said the Ministry is aware of the scarcity and is monitoring the situation closely with the association. He added that ministry officials have also attended two general meetings with producers to make sure that the situation is mutually understood. The ministry spokesperson said "the situation is prevailing because of the astronomical price of cereals the world over. The situation is also the result of a herd restructuring process to maximise efficiencies on farm".

He added that it was inevitable that following such restructuring exercises, a decrease in production was experienced.

Asked what the ministry intends to do to increase production, the spokesperson said the ministry and the association have both been spearheading change in this sector. Progress has been achieved in a number of areas, including the signing of contracts with processors, improved quality, higher efficiencies, more competitive pricing and cuts that suit the consumer.

The spokesperson added that the industry is only sustainable if the focus is on quality. "Maltese pork far outweighs the inferior quality of imported meat. Maltese consumers have always come back to genuine products," the spokesperson said.

The association's general manager Oliver Frendo explained that the current scarcity is the result of a drop in breeding at the end of last year. "Pigs are not bred and slaughtered in a few days. The pigs which are being slaughtered now would have been born 10 or 11 months ago," Frendo said.

He explained that breeders are exposed to volatile international prices of fodder and added that due to the strict nature of EU legislation, the breeders cannot benefit from the subsidies they once received.

However, the scarcity should end by September as Frendo predicted that the rates of slaughter will increase. But Frendo added that there will be another dip in December and January 2013.

When the campaign 'Majjal ta' Malta' was launched it was intended to help customers differentiate between imported and Maltese pork.

The association, which represents around 150 breeders, insists that the consumption of local products sustains the country's economy, protects the local agricultural community and reduces the carbon footprint of the products by avoiding long-haul transportation.

Asked whether Maltese breeders are wary of imported pork, Frendo said: "We have no trouble with foreign competition. There is no substantial difference in prices and the imported produce, such as the one from Poland, is of an inferior quality." However, receipts seen by MaltaToday show that while the price for half a pig bred in Malta stands at €2.65 per/kg, the price of imported pork is more competitive.

The price of boneless and skinless pork shoulder stands at €2.70 per/kg while that of a boneless and skinless pork leg stands at €3.10 per/kg.

A number of butchers who spoke to MaltaToday said that the imported meat is more competitive because while the local pork is slightly cheaper, about of 25% of the volume is lost in waste, since it is not sold to them boneless and skinless.

Additionally, butchers have to pay €6 for every pig delivered in transportation costs. Also, they claimed that the quality of imported pork from countries such as Italy and Belgium is equivalent to that of the Maltese pork.