April 9, 2009

UK pig producers are still not confident, but are more optimistic about what the future might hold, according to the latest research from BPEX.

The results of the latest BPEX confidence survey, which has been has been running since 2006, have just been analysed and show that the overall confidence index is half what it was in 2006 and that fewer producers are looking at investing in buildings as compared with in 2007.

The survey also showed that 34 percent of producers are optimistic about the future and all sectors reported improved competitiveness against UK business.

When looking at reasons for capital expenditure, 23 percent of producers and 34 percent of processors said the reason was to comply with environmental legislation.

In relation to EU competitors, 42 percent reported an improvement, compared with only 13 percent in 2007.

BPEX head of supply chain development Andrew Knowles said that one of the key findings was when they looked at the factors which are likely to limit output, with lack of skilled labour citing 13 percent of producers and 14 percent of processors.