Identifying constrains that are hindering the Maltese pork industry

Abstract

Pig production in Malta has been considered to be a profitable industry but this changed upon Malta accession with the European Union. Data compiled by the National Statistics Office shows that; after accession demand for local pork constantly decreased as importation of pork started to replace local pork. The pig breeders cooperative (K.I.M Ltd) invested in cutting and deboning facility to keep the market share but there is still low demands for pork especially ham and shoulder. Following this decrease in demand this study was made to generating information on the pork industry through specifically targeted interviews and on consumer behaviour and preference with regards to the consumption of pork through a questionnaire. By a series of interviews within the pork industry and consumer surveys done in five localities, factors that affect the local pork demand were identified together with the improvements needed to be done by the pork chain to increase the local pork demand. By analysing the pork market and the consumer demand; K.I.M Ltd can direct pig producers so the products satisfy the demand of the consumers and the other sectors in the industry. This will result in an increase in local pork demand and the pig industry will be more profitable and more sustainable.