In New Zealand, pig farmers have had to contend with cheap imports undermining their prices as well as the rising cost of feed, leading to a 10 per cent decrease in the size of the breeding herd.
Pork New Zealand chief executive Owen Symmans said people should order early to make sure they had a locally grown Christmas ham: "My advice to customers is to get in early and order now."
Christmas hams were always in demand, however the production drop would exacerbate that, Mr Symmans said. People would probably be able to buy imported pork products from supermarkets, though it might not be of the same quality.
"If people don't get in early, they'll get an inferior product."
Alan Wright, of Cherrywood Butchery in Tauranga, said pork prices would "definitely increase" because of the domestic and global shortage.
Pork imports had fallen because of the shortage in Europe and the US. However, New Zealand butchers had placed their Christmas orders months ago and should be meet the seasonal demand, he said.
"I'd be very surprised if people can't get a ham. People would be guaranteed to be a ham from the Cherrywood Butchery."
The latest New Zealand Pork newsletter says imported pork made up 45 per cent of the product in New Zealand retail outlets.
- APN News & Media
