SA pork industry expects growth amidst challenges

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“Between 2015 and 2022, the average market price of pork increased by 10%. However, in real terms it has decreased by 24%. This highlights the all-time low point in profitability that pig producers experienced in 2022," says Nico Scheltema, head of business intelligence at the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (Sappo).

Dual strategy subscription

“This twofold strategy will consist of a portfolio of interventions which is pinned on the existing sustainability practices embedded in Pork 360 and the developmental impact of a range of business development interventions,” says Jolanda Andrag, chief operating officer. “Pork 360 remains a valuable risk management mechanism and is increasingly a key pillar of the industry’s future sustainability,” agrees Dr Peter Evans, Sappo’s head of consumer assurance.

The company has partnered with PwC Southern Africa to craft a sustainability framework considering a diverse set of stakeholders and needs to achieve long-term positive systemic change. This was done with the strategic objective to identify a set of viable sustainability criteria that could satisfy the needs of financiers based on local and international frameworks applicable to the pork industry. The company aligned existing sustainability practices within Pork 360 with these standards.

Expanding developmental impact

Concurrently, the company is also expanding its developmental impact through the combination of a viable mentorships programme, farmers’ days, developmental advisory services, and educating digital communications. Moreover, the company as signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture on farmer development.

This will improve the company’s positioning in partnering with extension officers and farmers in the Western Cape. “Sappo’s reach into deep rural areas continues to grow and its partnerships with various input suppliers amplifies its impact,” says Kgadi Senyatsi, head of business development

In its endeavour to educate consumers about pork, the company also revised the strategic intent of its marketing campaigns to implement highly impactful social media and innovative QR campaigns.

“The objective is to increase the perceived value of pork and heighten our reach in non-traditional pork audiences,” says Christian Zimelka, head of consumer education. Overall, the industry remains confident about its future. “Looking ahead, producers will have to find innovative ways to improve cost efficiencies and draw resilience from its agility. Sappo remains well-positioned to enable the sustainability of the industry”, says Johann Kotzé, chief executive officer.