Co-operation from farm to table

Much of the successful export performance by the Danish pork and bacon industry is due to a strong and well integrated domestic infrastructure based on the co-operative system The pig producers own the slaughterhouses and the meat processing companies. This unique structure provides an opportunity for a fully integrated chain from farm to table and guarantees traceability between the slaughterhouse and its producer members.

This integration means that farmers and the slaughterhouses can operate factories at near full capacity and adapt to the ever changing demands from the retail trade and consumers.

Co-operation in the umbrella organisation, The Danish Bacon & Meat Council, means that farmers and companies, even though they are competitors, can set common goals in areas such as breeding, special production and general marketing, thus ensuring the competitive edge in the international market.