Pig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • 2025 Buildings supplement
    • February 2025
    • 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • 2024 Pig Health supplement
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • Innovation supplement 2024
    • Pig & Poultry Fair Guide 2024
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • Buildings Supplement
    • March 2024
    • Pig Nutrition (Beyond Zinc)
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • National Pig Awards Supplement 2023
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • Health Supplement
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
Podcast
Pig WorldPig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    1. May 2025
    2. April 2025
    3. March 2025
    4. 2025 Buildings supplement
    5. February 2025
    6. 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    7. January 2025
    8. December 2024
    9. November 2024
    10. National Pig Awards supplement
    11. October 2024
    12. September 2024
    13. August 2024
    14. 2024 Pig Health supplement
    15. July 2024
    16. June 2024
    17. Innovation supplement 2024
    18. Pig & Poultry Fair Guide 2024
    19. May 2024
    20. April 2024
    21. Buildings Supplement
    22. March 2024
    23. Pig Nutrition (Beyond Zinc)
    24. February 2024
    25. January 2024
    26. December 2023
    27. November 2023
    28. National Pig Awards Supplement 2023
    29. October 2023
    30. September 2023
    31. Health Supplement
    Featured

    May 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    May 1, 2025
    Recent

    May 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    May 1, 2025

    April 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    April 4, 2025

    March 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    March 6, 2025
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
LinkedIn X (Twitter)
Pig World
Business

Sainsbury’s and Cranswick announce new long-term commitment to British pig production

Alistair DriverBy Alistair DriverMarch 20, 20254 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
Cranswick pork crackling loin

Sainsbury’s and Cranswick have announced a new 10-year partnership that will include long-term producer contracts and an estimated £50m to support producers in meeting higher standards, including moving to flexible farrowing pens. 

The move will see all Sainsbury’s British pork, sausages, premium bacon and gammon and cooked meats supplied through Cranswick. Longer term contracts and more financial stability will be provided for the 170 trusted farmers in the Sainsbury’s Pork Producer Group, which the joint announcement said will ‘give them the reassurance needed to invest in farms, factories and procedures, building resilience for the future’.

They said the new partnership will elevate welfare standards of the by Sainsbury’s British pork range beyond those recommended by Red Tractor, while still ensuring great value for customers.

The move includes direct investment in flexible farrowing accommodation, providing extra space for the sows and piglets, while the introduction of AI technology will also 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.

Net zero drive

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.

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.”

“Over the next 10 years we, in partnership with Cranswick and the farmers in the Sainsbury’s Pork Producer Group, hope to better prepare ourselves for unforeseen knocks such as price shocks and climate concerns. There is an ever-evolving relationship between retailers, farmers, and processors but we hope this news serves as a good example of what is possible when people come together in the food system.”

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.”

Other leading moves made by the retailer include the move to sourcing 100% free range woodland eggs, lowering chicken stocking density to improve chicken welfare and introducing a beef range with a lower carbon footprint.

Positive announcement

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.”

Share. LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticleUp your biosecurity, but start preparing now for an ASF outbreak, producers urged
Next Article Cranswick on course for healthy 2024/25 profits, after strong Q4 trade
Alistair Driver

Editor Pig World, group editor Agronomist and Arable Farmer and Farm Contractor. National Pig Association webmaster. Former political editor at Farmers Guardian. Occasional media pundit. Brought up on a Leicestershire farm. Works from a shed in his Oxfordshire garden.

Read Similar Stories

Historic UK-US trade deal – industry reaction

May 8, 2025

New grants to be available for pig farmers as Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) re-opens

May 8, 2025

National Women in Agriculture Awards – winners announced!

May 8, 2025
Latest News

Historic UK-US trade deal – industry reaction

May 8, 2025

New grants to be available for pig farmers as Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) re-opens

May 8, 2025

National Women in Agriculture Awards – winners announced!

May 8, 2025
Sponsored Content

THE GATEKEEPER OF RESPIRATORY HEALTH – MYCOPLASMA HYOPNEUMONIAE (M.HYO)

April 30, 2024

Tackle the root cause of PWD with free diagnostic tests

March 1, 2024
Current Pig Industry jobs
  • Experienced Pig Stockperson – Ref 1736 South East England

    • South East England
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Senior Pig Stockperson – Ref 1735 Somerset

    • Somerset
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Pig Farm Manager

    • Mullingar, Co.Westmeath, Ireland
    • Clondrisse Pig Farm LTD
    • Full Time
GETTING IN TOUCH
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Meet The Editors
  • About Us
  • Email Newsletters
  • Subscribe
  • Reuse permissions
OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
PARTNER EVENTS
RELATED SITES
  • Farmers Weekly
  • Agronomist & Arable Farmer
  • Farm Contractor
  • National Pig Awards
  • Pigs Tomorrow
  • Poultry News
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.