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Article archive

Imports counteract good promotion results

Although pork promotions have succeeded in an increase in the per capita consumption of pork, imports have resulted in South African producers not receiving the much needed lift in profitability, said Barry Gibbs, chairman of the KZN Pork Producers at the association’s annual general meeting.

“ We will in future have to look at ways to promote South African pork, not only to the consumer, but also to the middle man who buys our product.”

Gibbs said that if the South African pork industry does not succeed in having an anti-dumping measure introduced to curb imports from Canada, they only have themselves to blame. “I am very disappointed at the poor response from producers in submitting figures to support SAPPO’s application,” he said.

Already 30 compartments on board

There are already 30 pig units, representing about 25 000 sows, that are registered in terms of SAPPO’s compartmentalisation system, said James Jenkinson, SAPPO national chairman at the annual general meeting. “The compartments will make it possible for SAPPO to insist that imports are only allowed from countries without diseases such as PRRS as these diseases are not prevalent in South African herds. Jenkinson urged producers not yet on board, to participate.

Why do SA producers not wean 30 pigs per sow a year?

Dr Pieter Grimbeek, a consultant from Potchefstroom, addressed this question at the annual general meeting and said that while South African producers are trying hard to achieve this benchmark figure in pig production, many farmers in other countries are already contemplating 35 piglets weaned per sow per year. “This is however not a race but a process and it takes time to turn the ship,” he said.

Dr Grimbeek listed the following factors that hamper South African producers in this regard:

• We do not pay enough attention to our gilts.
• Our sows are too fat.
• Our housing leaves much to be desired.
• Our pre-weaning mortalities are too high.
• Our conception and farrowing values are poor.
Participation in various shows a highlight

Apart from the KZN promotions team’s successful in-store promotion, participation in various shows was a highlight on the promotions calendar, according to Sally Wilson, promotions lady for Pietermaritzburg. The team participated in the Nedbank Eston Show, the Sunday Tribune Garden and Leisure Show, the Parklane Food and Wine Festival and the Royal Show. Various promotional items (some linked to the soccer world cup) and recipes were handed to the public. Cooking demonstrations also ensured that South African pork was again brought to the attention of consumers at these shows, Wilson said.

In store promotions result in better sales for traders, say promotion teamAccording to Heather Cullinan, promotion lady for Durban, traders are delighted with the promotion team’s in-store promotions as the demonstrations result in improved sales. “We now have five promotion ladies in Durban and we are doing 40 promotions a month.
We regularly work at Pick ‘n Pay (Umhlanga), Pick ‘n Pay (La Lucia), Kensington Spar (Durban North), Bluff Meats (Springfield Park) and Gateway Checkers Hyperama.” Cullinan said many traders were however disappointed with sales during the world cup period as these did not improve as expected.

Land: Organised agriculture will not compromise on free market

Organised agriculture will not compromise its believe that land reform must not be in conflict with free market principals or the South African constitution, said Robin Barnsley, president of Kwanalu, at the annual general meeting. Barnsley told delegates that Kwanalu is compiling a database of land and land ownership in the province “to have a clear picture of what the current situation is.” This is being conducted in cooperation with the deed’s office in the province.
“Organised agriculture does not have a good image with regard to land issues. People may have the perception that we are destructive, which is not the case. We are however busy with plans to address this communication problem,” he said.