Sainsbury's and Cranswick sign ten-year partnership to set new standards in pig welfare and to help build a more resilient UK farming sector

• Sainsbury’s and Cranswick to invest an estimated £61 million to deliver a new standard for animal welfare across by Sainsbury’s pork products
• Sainsbury’s to provide long term contracts and more financial stability for farmers, to enable more confident investment in farms, factories and procedures
• Sainsbury’s and Cranswick plan to deliver Net Zero Taste the Difference pork by 2029 and by Sainsbury’s pork by 2030, working more closely on environmentally sustainable practices

Sainsbury’s and Cranswick have today announced a new ten-year partnership that will see all Sainsbury’s British pork, sausages, premium bacon and gammon, and cooked meats supplied through the UK producer. This will be made possible by the British farmers working for Sainsbury’s and Cranswick under the Sainsbury’s Pork Producer Group.

The partnership will elevate welfare standards of the by Sainsbury’s British pork range beyond the industry recommended*, while still ensuring great value for customers. Taste the Difference pork will remain the same high-level RSPCA Assured standard that it has been for 17 years. The market-leading move includes direct investment in flexible farrowing accommodation, the area where pigs are housed during the birthing process, which will provide extra space for the sows and piglets. The introduction of AI technology will also allow for 24/7 monitoring of the animals and inform improvements to welfare.

With a history of supporting British farmers and investing in British agriculture, it’s estimated Sainsbury’s will invest £50 million to implement these new high standards by 2030, with an additional £11 million being invested by Cranswick to help build the new sheds and housing for the pigs.

Longer term contract and more financial stability will be provided for the 170 trusted farmers in the Sainsbury’s Pork Producer Group. This will give them the reassurance needed to invest in farms, factories and procedures, building resilience for the future.

Sainsbury's and Cranswick aim to offer Taste the Difference pork that meets net zero by 2029, a stretching ambition, and by Sainsbury’s fresh pork that meets net zero by 2030. Working closely on environmentally sustainable practices, the new contract will allow for the continuation of current trials into the reduction of soya (a feed ingredient with a high environmental impact) and a focus on more sustainable cereal feedstocks.

Rhian Bartlett, Sainsbury’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “This ten-year partnership with Cranswick means that we are able to place a bigger focus on animal welfare, financial security for our farmers and sustainable production of our pork range; all while protecting value for customers. Long term partnerships are not only key to the success of Sainsbury’s but also to the success and stability of the food industry we work in. They’re something we continue to prioritise as a business.”

“Over the next 10 years we, in partnership with Cranswick and the farmers in the Sainsbury’s Pork Producer Group, hope to better prepare ourselves for unforeseen knocks such as price shocks and climate concerns. There is an ever-evolving relationship between retailers, farmers, and processors but we hope this news serves as a good example of what is possible when people come together in the food system.”

Jim Brisby, Cranswick plc. Chief Commercial Officer, said: “The purpose of the new partnership is to provide a total supply chain approach delivering a robust and differentiated consumer offer across British pork related categories including fresh joints and steaks, sausages, cooked meats and premium bacon and gammon. 

“The partnership provides a secure supply chain that is fit for the future, facilitating improved welfare standards, delivery of our joint sustainability targets and a fair return to over 170 valued farmers.

“This long-term contract will also give us the confidence to continue to invest in our farms, processing factories and people, to deliver the highest quality, technical standards and innovation to support Sainsbury’s in the provision of good food.”

This is one of the latest changes made by Sainsbury's to invest in the future of British farming, animal welfare and agricultural sustainability. Other leading moves made by the retailer include the move to sourcing 100% free range woodland eggs, lowering chicken stocking density to improve chicken welfare and introducing a beef range with a lower carbon footprint.