The wholesale price of all local pork sold by the Pig Breeders’ Cooperative Society of Malta will be reduced by 10 cents per kilo of carcass weight from Monday.

"The difficult decision to reduce the price of the local product was taken despite the fact that production costs have not decreased and that the this price cut will directly impact local pig farmers’ income," a statement from the society said.

It is hoped that this reduction in price will result in maintained or increased uptake of Maltese pork by local processors, retailers, restaurant owners and hoteliers, as well as consumers.

European pork prices dropped suddenly last year and have remained very low, leading to increased importation of cheaper foreign pork. Sales of local pork have already dropped significantly and local producers cannot afford to lose any more of the local market.

At this point, any further reduction in sales may cause the entire sector to become non-viable, risking the livelihoods of hundreds of local families.

"The pig breeders of Malta humbly urge local people and businesses to support their work by selecting local pork. As with any local sector dependent on the local market, the Maltese pork sector cannot continue to exist without such support," the society said.