Responding to a noticeable decline in pork sales over the past month, local farmers and industry representatives have announced an initiative dubbed “Pork To The Bone”.
This campaign aims to reinvigorate the market for Barbadian-produced pork while simultaneously addressing the increasing output from local farms, spurred by Government loans and initiatives.
James Paul, chief executive officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), said it was important to support local pork producers amidst these shifts in the market.
As the Government has successfully increased pork production through its 2D loan programme, many farmers are now facing challenges in selling their products as traditional avenues have dwindled.
“We have noticed that over the last few weeks, a month or so, we have a situation where we are seeing declining pork sales. So over the next few weeks, we will actively promote local pork consumption,” Paul said.
Attractive discounts
“The ‘Pork To The Bone’ initiative will not only include sharing creative pork recipes, but will also encourage local producers to offer attractive discounts to consumers based on bulk purchases.”
The campaign aims to urge Bajans to buy more local pork, while ensuring farmers can sustain their livelihoods.
“The goal is simple, get more people to enjoy our quality local pork at favourable prices,” he added.
He said partnerships with local entities, including HIPAC, were crucial for the campaign’s success, noting that discussions were under way to include major players in the industry, such as Sundale, to amplify the reach and impact of the initiative.
“The involvement of companies like Sundale is essential. We . . . hope they will join us in supporting local farmers. Their presence at upcoming meetings is important for fostering collaboration within the industry.”
Paul said they were also
looking to set a proactive tone for the future of the pork industry, stressing the need for collective information sharing among farmers.
“We are working on an informationgathering process to assess farm performance and livestock capacity,” he explained. “This will help us better meet local demand and avoid crises in the future.”
Supply chains
Henderson Williams, president of the BAS and the Barbados Association of Pig Farmers, said they understood the difficulties local farmers were facing due to changes in supply chains and encouraged consumers to buy local.
“The Government has successfully increased production capabilities within the local pork industry. However, we were alerted that many farmers have had difficulties making sales due to new procurement practices that favour imported pork over local products.”
John Foster, who is also a board member, said the preference of Barbadians was for fresh, locally sourced pork compared to frozen alternatives.
“When Barbadians buy local, they know where their food comes from and that’s vital,” he asserted.
In a heartfelt plea, Gay Reed, a long-time pig farmer, underscored unification within the industry as a critical factor for future success.
“I am from Barbell Farms Limited. I have been inside the pork business for over 40 years and in those 40 years I have seen the ups, downs, the good and the bad of the industry.
“If we do not unite, we will fail. We cannot let this industry, with its rich history, fade away,” he said, as he also invited collaboration with Government entities to adopt better practices, including artificial insemination and improved genetics, to enhance productivity.” (CA)
