And this little piggy ate … acorns

FEWER farmers will be turning their pigs loose to fatten on acorns for Iberico ham this October. Acorns are only just falling and must be supplemented by grain until there are sufficient for the pigs.

Feed is more expensive but live animals fetched around €2 per kilo in 2011 and farmers expect less this year. Iberico ham can sell at €75 a kilo and there is money to be made, “but not for us”, farmers say.