Sainsbury’s and Cranswick enter into long-term partnership to support British pig producers

Sainsbury’s and Cranswick have unveiled a new 10-year partnership to support British pork producers that will include an estimated £50m to help the deliver higher standards, including moving to flexible farrowing pens.

The move will also see new long-term producer contracts for the 170 ‘trusted farmers’ in the Sainsbury’s Pork Producer Group, which the companies said would ‘give them the reassurance needed to invest in farms, factories and procedures, building resilience for the future’.

Under the new arrangements all Sainsbury’s British pork, sausages, premium bacon and gammon and cooked meats supplied through Cranswick.

A key element will be direct investment for producers to support the transition to flexible farrowing accommodation, providing extra space for the sows and piglets, alongside investment in the introduction of AI technology to allow for 24/7 monitoring of the animals and inform improvements to welfare.

Sainsbury’s estimates that it will invest £50 million to implement these new high standards by 2030, with an additional £11 million being invested by Cranswick to help build the new sheds and housing for the pigs.

Taste the Difference pork will remain the same high-level RSPCA Assured standard that it has been for 17 years, the retailer said.

Sainsbury’s and Cranswick are also aiming to offer Taste the Difference pork that meets net zero by 2029, with Sainsbury’s fresh pork meeting the target a year later. Working closely on environmentally sustainable practices, the new contract will allow for the continuation of current trials into the reduction of soya and a focus on more sustainable cereal feedstocks.

Welfare and sustainable production

Rhian Bartlett, Sainsbury’s chief commercial officer, said: “This 10-year partnership with Cranswick means that we are able to place a bigger focus on animal welfare, financial security for our farmers and sustainable production of our pork range; all while protecting value for customers. Long term partnerships are not only key to the success of Sainsbury’s but also to the success and stability of the food industry we work in. They’re something we continue to prioritise as a business.”

Jim Brisby, Cranswick’s chief commercial officer, said: “The purpose of the new partnership is to provide a total supply chain approach delivering a robust and differentiated consumer offer across British pork related categories including fresh joints and steaks, sausages, cooked meats and premium bacon and gammon.

“The partnership provides a secure supply chain that is fit for the future, facilitating improved welfare standards, delivery of our joint sustainability targets and a fair return to over 170 valued farmers.

“This long-term contract will also give us the confidence to continue to invest in our farms, processing factories and people, to deliver the highest quality, technical standards and innovation to support Sainsbury’s in the provision of good food.”

NPA reaction

NPA chief executive Lizzie Wilson said: “This is another positive announcement for the future of the British pig sector.

“We have long been calling for a change in supply chain relations that ensures all parties, especially producers, are provided with long-term security, and that producers are supported in moving towards higher standards, for example in transitioning towards flexible farrowing and delivering net zero targets.

“Following Tesco’s recent announcement of its long-term support for British pig producers, this is another important milestone towards that goal.”