The South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO), in collaboration with the South African Meat Industry Company (SAMIC), successfully hosted the 2025 edition of the annual Pork Carcass Competition. This long-standing initiative aims to promote excellence in pork production by encouraging the production of high-quality meat that aligns with market expectations.
Entries were open from 1 April to 30 May 2025 and were free of charge for producers at all participating classified abattoirs. To accommodate a broad range of producers, the competition accepted carcasses across the following weight categories:
- Porkers: 20 kg to 55,99 kg
- Cutters to light baconers: 56 kg to 80 kg
- Heavy baconers: 81 kg to 110 kg
This inclusive approach enabled the evaluation of both lighter and heavier carcasses, thereby broadening participation across various production scales.
Objectives of the competition
- Encourage the production of high-quality pork that meets consumer and market demands.
- Demonstrate the value and practical benefits of the pork classification system to producers.
- Highlight that desirable carcass characteristics can be identified in live animals.
Judging criteria
Carcasses were judged by SAMIC using a 100-point scoring system based on the following weightings:
- Conformation: 30%
- Fat measurement: 60%
- Overall classification: 10%
Participation overview
Despite a slight decline in participation, the competition received a strong showing:
- Total entries: 654 carcasses — a 27% decrease from 2024.
- Producers represented: 57 — down 27,8% from the previous year.
- Abattoirs involved: 18 classified abattoirs across the country.
- Commercial producers: 45, contributing 551 carcasses.
- Developing smallholder producers (those with 100 sows or fewer): 12, contributing 103 carcasses.
The drop in participation is attributed to a range of factors, including the closure of some production units.
What’s next
Winners of the 2025 Pork Carcass Competition will be announced at the SAMIC prize-giving ceremony in September, with the exact date to be confirmed and communicated soon.
SAPPO extends its sincere thanks to all participating producers and abattoirs. Your continued support and commitment to excellence help drive progress and innovation within South Africa’s pork industry.
