Countdown chooses pork from Canterbury

Countdown will now sell Canterbury pork.

First it was Canterbury wheat and now it is Canterbury free-farmed pork a supermarket chain is sourcing.

As of October 30, all of Countdown's fresh pork sold in its supermarkets nationwide has been totally sourced from Canterbury and is 100% free-farmed.

Last month, Countdown announced the in-store baked bread and rolls in all its 177 stores nationwide would be made from more than 10,000 tonnes of wheat from Canterbury.

Countdown has linked up with large pig producer Patoa Farms, of Hawarden in North Canterbury for the deal although the volumes involved are not being disclosed.

''Our pork volumes are commercially sensitive, however our partnership with Patoa Farms is supplying all our fresh pork throughout the country,'' Scott Davidson, general manager merchandise, said.

Asked if Countdown would be sourcing any more Canterbury-exclusive produce, Mr Davidson said they regularly reviewed their range and would always be on the lookout for new local suppliers.

''We currently partner with more than 100 Christchurch and Canterbury suppliers.

''Canterbury has a proud agricultural and arable history with great weather and land for growing and farming.''

Mr Davidson said they partnered with 1200 farmers around the country and were keen to support New Zealand businesses.

''Our relationships with our suppliers are important and our first preference is to support the New Zealand market and buy locally.''

Patoa Farms has more than 500 breeding sows, and sells more than 110,000 fat pigs a year. It has an SPCA Blue Tick which denotes products have been farmed to animal welfare standards.

In 2016 Patoa Farms won the supreme and agribusiness awards at the North Canterbury Business Awards.

-By Chris Tobin

Central Rural Life