Pork is so cheap right now, it’s almost suspicious. Walk into any supermarket and you’ll find bacon, ham, and pork cuts selling for less than chicken or beef. But behind the bargain prices is a sobering reality: much of the pork in your fridge isn’t Australian, and our local pig farmers are in crisis.
The flood of cheap imported pork, particularly from the United States, Canada, and Europe, is driving prices down — but not for the benefit of Australian producers. Australia imports around 70–75% of its processed pork products, including ham, bacon, salami, and smallgoods. If it’s cured or cooked, chances are it’s not Australian.
Imported pork is cheap for a reason. Many overseas producers benefit from massive scale, government subsidies, lower feed costs, and far weaker animal welfare standards. This enables them to export pork to Australia at prices local farmers simply can’t compete with — especially as feed costs and labour prices rise here.
The result? Australian pig farmers are struggling. Many are operating at a loss, and some have already shut down. The domestic pork industry is now dangerously exposed, and if we lose more producers, Australia could permanently lose the ability to supply its own pork.
But why doesn’t Australia produce enough?
The answer is partly economic. While we produce enough fresh pork for the domestic market, we don’t process enough of it into ham and bacon. That’s because curing and storing pork is expensive, and the local industry has been priced out by global supply chains that rely on bulk freezing, industrial processing, and shipping in massive volumes.
So how do you buy Australian ham and bacon?
You need to look for the pink “Australian Pork” logo, or wording like “Made from at least 90% Australian ingredients”. Labels like “Made in Australia from imported and local ingredients” often hide the fact that the pork is frozen from overseas.
Brands to trust include:
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Bangalow Sweet Pork
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SunPork
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Sow Stall Free by Australian Pork
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Don (only selected products are Australian)
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Bertocchi (look for the Australian-grown symbol)
Buying Australian pork means supporting ethical farming, better animal welfare, local jobs, and regional communities. It’s not just about taste — it’s about sovereignty.
So next time you’re slicing ham or frying bacon, ask yourself: is this feeding your family or someone else’s economy? Because cheap pork comes at a cost — and that cost may be the future of Australian farming.
