Industry association South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO) is supporting pork industry growth through various initiatives to address consumer concerns, promote pork products and elevate industry stakeholders.

Various public misconceptions about pork, and pork farming, have dissuaded many demographics from consuming pork in a similar manner to chicken, beef and other meats, says SAPPO general manager Karla Zietsman.

She clarifies that while there is not widespread aversion to pork in South Africa, the local industry does deal with misinformation or confusion on how to cook pork.

A common misconception is that pork is a white meat. Consequently, pork is often overcooked, resulting in the meat being dry and, often, unappealing.

“Over the years, commercial pig farming in South Africa has undergone significant advancements, with modern farms implementing rigorous biosecurity and animal health protocols,” says Zietsman.

She elaborates that these measures protect pigs from parasites, diseases and other potential risks, ensuring a safe and healthy product for consumers.

She adds that one of the biggest misconceptions is the “outdated belief that pork is a ‘dirty protein,’ when in fact today’s production standards make it a high-quality, safe choice”.

To support this sentiment, SAPPO collaborated with the Stellenbosch University in 2023 on a paper that outlined information on the nutritional value of South African pork and explored several facts regarding pork and its role in a balanced diet.

According to the paper, lean fresh pork is a high-protein, low-fat, nutrient-rich meat option and compares favourably with the fat, energy and cholesterol content of many other meats and poultry.

A recent trend is younger generations’ approach to animal welfare, with their tending to be more conscious of animal welfare in food production, as well as “caring deeply about the environment, sustainability and community impact”, Zietsman suggests.

Consequently, producers must be aware of the way in which they market their environmental and social credentials, as declining demand for pork among younger generations will harm the industry’s long-term viability.

To assist pork producers and address consumer concerns, SAPPO’s Pork 360 programme certifies producers that meet its strict standards for environmental stewardship, animal welfare and residue control. The standards include water use, housing standards, antibiotic management, biosecurity and traceability.

The programme aims to provide assurance for consumers that these producers provide safe and healthy food products and “care about more than just output”, says Zietsman.

Further, through its SA Pork initiative, SAPPO is promoting pork consumption among South Africans, leading active engagement with consumers, retailers and industry partners to increase pork’s visibility, appeal and accessibility.

A campaign under this initiative is the SA Pork Retail Kit, launched in November last year, which aims to educate customers about pork’s nutritional value while dispelling common myths and misinformation.

The kit is distributed to butcheries and retailers nationwide and includes recipe posters, pork fact posters, leaflets and a digital library of ready-made social media content and other promotional materials.

For producers, SAPPO offers industry support, advocacy and sustainability. For example, the organisation held its PIGx2 conference at the Maslow Hotel in Pretoria, Gauteng, last month. The two-day event brought together industry leaders, experts and other stakeholders to explore trends, innovations and research in pork production.

The organisation also developed the World of Pork (WoP) integrated digital platform, which connects stakeholders across the South African pork value chain. The platform provides a secure environment to share information and facilitate interactions while driving industry competitiveness, sustainability and food safety.

WoP also features dashboards and visual data representations, offering real-time insights into industry trends and performance.

The platform supports producers in managing farms’ business information and enabling animal movement traceability. It also assists veterinarians in conducting disease surveillance, biosecurity and welfare assessments, while business development managers can use the platform to collect information about farm visits, mentorship and events.