The Smart, Profitable and Responsible Pig Value Chain project increases the competitiveness and profitability of the pork production chain – especially primary production – by developing the quality of the entire chain with responsible, ecological and efficient new methods and practices that can be quickly implemented. The aim of the project’s measures and the pilots implemented in the project is to find ways to improve the quality of the raw material for pork production (healthy pigs, carcasses and meat) and reduce losses at different stages of the value chain. This also promotes the profitability of pig farms.
The profitability of pork production has suffered from several challenges in the 2020s. Pork consumption has stabilized at around 28 kg/person/year. As a result of the cost crisis in 2022, production is expected to decrease by an estimated 5–7% by the end of 2023. This also means that the self-sufficiency of pork production is falling below 100%, also weakening Finland’s security of supply. Rising costs, declining profitability and high interest rates have combined to reduce the opportunities for pig farms to make renovation investments or invest in completely new buildings. The aim of the project is to increase the welfare of pigs at different stages of growth through development measures so that the farms receive more income from their production.
The project activities are as follows:
1) Optimising arable crop production from a pig feeding perspective
2) Identifying and solving quality challenges to promote well-being
3) Modeling and increasing the economic profitability of the value chain
4) Communication and dissemination of results
Development work will continue after the project, which will further increase the effectiveness of the activities carried out in the project.
The main implementer of the project is Pyhäjärvi Institute and the partner is HKFoods. The project area is the area of the Economic Development Centres of Southwest Finland, Central Finland, Southeast Finland and Uusimaa. Approximately 419 pig farms are located in their area.