Sofina Foods has confirmed that a "small number" of Northern Ireland pig supply contracts will not be renewed at the end of this year.

The company said the decision reflects "the continued downward pressure on the market".

"This pressure is being felt across the industry, driven in part by increased competition from European supply following the impact of African swine fever and changes in trade flows," a spokesperson for the company told Agriland.

Sofina Foods

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is currently seeking an urgent meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir to discuss "uncertainty" facing a number of Northern Ireland pig producers.

This follows a recent meeting between the farming union and Sofina Foods.

During that meeting, the UFU said that it pressed the company for clarity on the future of affected family farm businesses supplying into the Cookstown site.

Sofina Foods did not specify to Agriland exactly how many pig producers in Northern Ireland would be affected by this move.

"We met with the UFU to listen to their concerns and we acknowledge the need for clear and timely communication.

"As a leading food manufacturer we remain firmly committed to the Northern Irish pig sector and through collaboration and innovation we will continue to work with our suppliers, customers and the wider industry," the Sofina Foods spokesperson added.

The company said it recently launched "Sofina Connect", a programme "designed specifically to address these kinds of industry challenges, bringing farmers and customers together to respond to market pressures, share risk, improve resilience on farm and support a more sustainable, long-term future for the sector".