Around 30% of the pig farms on Majorca are facing financial difficulties this year due to fierce competition from pork meat imported from mainland Spain and other countries. Consumers are choosing the cheaper imported pork despite the fact that it is of lower quality than the locally produced pork.
The indigenous pig to the island is the Mallorcan Black Pig which tends to be smaller than average, but produces pork with a high fat content resulting in a richly flavoured meat. The lower yields mean that farmers have to charge a premium price for the product.
An additional financial hit for the farmers comes from the cost of the corn that is used to feed the pigs. The price of cereals has doubled over the past two years as demand outstrips supply, thanks to increased consumption in India and China. The Association of Mallorcan Pork Producers have requested special assistance from the government to help struggling pig farmers get through this difficult period.
The Mallorcan Black Pig was recognised as a species in need of protection in 1997. The pork from these animals is not only delicious in it's own right (pork chops or 'chuleta' are particularly recommended), but it is also used in the famous Mallorcan sausage Sobrassada.
