Good Farming Balance Vion

In October 2017, Vion introduced a premium ham for the top segment of the Italian market for dried hams under the Robusto brand name. This successful launch was followed in April 2018 by the premium ham also for the Spanish ham dryers. Robusto ham is so popular that the demand currently exceeds supply. In order to increase the supply of heavier pigs with more fat thickness, Vion is making adjustments to the Robuust delivery module within the Good Farming Balance chain concept in the Netherlands.

There is much demand from Italian and Spanish ham dryers for Vion's premium Robusto hams. Robusto hams are distinguished by their weight, colour, fat cover, intramuscular fat, shape and consistency. The origin of the Good Farming Balance chain concept that Vion introduced in March 2017 is also an important advantage. The quality is perceived as very high by the top of the dry ham industry.

Offer of heavier and more mature pigs

Within the Good Farming Balance programme of Vion in the Netherlands, pig farmers choose one of the delivery modules Basis, Breed or Robuust. In order to meet the growing demand for Robusto hams, more supply of heavier and more mature pigs is needed. This makes the highest quality (fatty) hams possible. In order to better manage the supply of heavier and more mature pigs, adjustments are being made to the Robuust delivery module within the Good Farming Balance chain concept.

Modifications to the delivery module Robuust

One of the adjustments relates to the payout table for the Robuust delivery module. Pig farmers will be better rewarded for pigs over a certain fat thickness.

In addition, Vion, in collaboration with Topigs Norsvin, has selected a specific group of bears that will result in a larger supply of heavier and more mature pigs. This will result in a larger supply of suitable raw materials for the Robusto ham. The specific genetics associated with this group of bears are called TN Robusto. TN Robusto was developed exclusively for Vion.

Finally, there are also possibilities in the field of feed. Vion would like to enter into discussions with pig farmers and feed suppliers to use the feed to steer the pigs towards a higher average score for bacon.

"By means of these modifications, Vion is able to guarantee the supply and premium quality of Robusto hams to Italian and Spanish hams dryers and to respond to the growing demand," says John de Jonge, who will take over the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) within Vion Pork from Frans Stortelder as of 1 January 2019. "Both pig farmers and Vion benefit from the changes to the Robuust delivery module within Good Farming Balance.