In the UK, the National Pig Association (NPA) called the latest pig price hike an “insult” to the industry as the industry continues to “lose millions.”

The association estimates that British pig producers are still losing millions of pounds a month due to the “inability” of pig prices in the UK to move in line with clear global trends.

The latest update from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Council (AHDB) showed that the price of pigs last week increased by 1.51 pence in accordance with EU specifications to an average of 144.45 pence per kilogram, which the NPA calls a "meager" increase.

The update also said that British farmers are not even “close” with profit, given the current dynamics of the global market, focused on Asia.

British competitors are enjoying higher prices amid growing demand from China, as the world's largest pig producer is facing a crisis of African swine fever (ASF).

The price paid by the British manufacturer remains 3.5 pence lower than last year and still lags behind EU prices, since the beginning of February they have risen by more than 30 pence per kilogram, while prices in the UK have grown by only 6 pence.

Although the general gap between EU and UK prices is currently around 2.6 pence per kilogram, according to the NPA, the actual gap is much larger.

Association estimates show that British manufacturers lose more than £ 1 million a week from mid-April to mid-May. This amounts to over £ 8 million over a five-week period.

NPA Executive Director Zoe Davis said: “We don’t think that the huge difference between prices in the UK and the EU is justified, and we want to see much more significant growth in the coming weeks.”