Pork producers capitalise on meat trends

But, there a number of issues the industry has to face, including continuing farm raids by activists.

The price outlook and concerning issues were discussed at the SA Pig Industry Day held at Tanunda on Friday.

Pork SA estimates that about 70 per cent of industry, accounting for in excess of 30,000 sows, were represented at the meeting.

Australian Pork Limited general manager marketing Peter Haydon said that fresh pork supply and demand were in equilibrium.

"Domestically, demand is just ahead of supply, which is where we want it," he said.

"Since late 2012 fresh pork sales have grown every month."

Mr Haydon said APL believed demand for pork was set to rise in the coming year, as beef and lamb prices became too expensive for many consumers.

"ABARES figures show pork prices will become relatively better value for money for processors and retailers than lamb or beef," he said.

"We'll become more competitive in the market, without having to change our price."

Fresh pork consumption per capita has lifted in Australia. In June 2011 it was 8.5 kilograms a person an annum. It had grown to 9.3kg/person/annum.

The 6:2:2 advertising campaign run by APL, urging consumers to cook pork steaks for six minutes, turn for two and rest for two, had been relatively successful, with 70 per cent of people surveyed saying they remembered the advertisement. One in five people who saw the ad tried it, and of those 97pc said they would be willing to do it again.

While Asia, and China, offered plenty of opportunities for the pork sector, Mr Haydon said it would not be without its challenges.

"The Chinese population eats - in 58 hours - the amount of pork that Australia produces in a year," he said.

Another major challenge facing the industry was the amount of farms being raided by activists.

Pork SA chairman Matthew Starick said last year seven SA farms, plus one abattoir, were raided and the footage put on the Aussie Farms website.

This not only posed huge biosecurity ramifactions to the farms involved, it left producers feeling violated.

"The RSPCA conducted official inspections on many of the raided farms and no actions resulted from any of those inspections," Mr Starick said.

Pork SA is working closely with the RSPCA, and assisting with training programs for RSPCA inspectors.

Mr Starick said it was a shame activists were targeting farmers in such a way.

"Every producer is concerned about their animal's welfare, if an animal is not happy, production will suffer," he said.