THE great British breakfast is under threat – from a shortage of sausages and bacon, it emerged yesterday. Pig farmers warned that a 30 per cent rise in the cost of feed could put them out of business.
And they say supermarkets, which buy 70 per cent of British pork, must pay more to avert predicted £200million losses in the industry. Feed, which accounts for up to 60 per cent of the cost of raising a pig, is dearer because wheat prices are up. Ian Campbell, of the National Pig Association, said: Pig farmers are just giving up. Its not worth it any more.
More expensive wheat also threatens the cost of bread and eggs, other staples of the fry-up. If the supermarkets give in, a pack of eight bangers will go up from £1.99 to around £2.15. But the firms are resisting. Marks & Spencer said: We already pay well above market price.