Carmarthen Journal

Business growing in lean times

- IAN LEWIS Reporter ian.lewis@walesonlin­e.co.uk

A CARMARTHEN pig farmer who holds a quirky Guinness world record has expanded his business despite the challenges of the coronaviru­s pandemic.

Pork farmer Graeme Carter, of Red Valley Farm, said 2020 was a tough year of “ups and downs” but was he determined to open a butchery on the farm.

In 2019 he became the fastest pigs-in-blankets maker in the world, rolling 20 sausages in bacon in 60 seconds, beating the previous record of 17 in one minute, set in 2016.

The challenge at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in Builth Wells meant he had to complete each pig-inblanket in less than three and a half seconds.

Following his recordbrea­king success in the summer of 2019, the end of 2020 saw him take his business to the next level and open his own on-site butchery.

Speaking as part of Porc From Wales Week, which runs from January 18 to 24, Graeme said: “My year has seen ups and downs, from setting the world record at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair and then riding high on that into the new year of 2020, to then having coronaviru­s hit us in March.

“But I was determined to follow through with the goals I had already set myself to open a butchery on the farm. We’ve just managed it on top of the day-to-day running of our mobile farm shop trailer selling through this horrible year we have all had.”

He added: “I am thrilled to be able to say I achieved that, after what 2020 threw at us, and I am still planning to open a permanent shop in the near future.

“I want to say a big thanks to my loyal customers because thanks to them I have been able to keep doing what I love, looking after the pigs and creating a truly special product with the meat we rear on our farm.

“I get a lot out of what I do, and I know that shows in the end product – the customers see that and taste that, and it’s what farming is all about.”

Graeme is a partner at Red Valley Farm, along with Andy Washbourne.

The farm is a 154-acre holding between Carmarthen and St Clears, which sells eggs and kiln-dried logs as well as free range Saddleback pork.

The business is one of nearly 100 Welsh pork suppliers listed by the Porc.wales directory, run by Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC).

Kirstie Jones, market developmen­t officer at HCC – Meat Promotion Wales added: “Porc From Wales Week is a great opportunit­y to help give our local economy a much needed boost.

“The essential links in our food supply chain – our farmers, food producers and retail businesses – need that extra support from consumers now, more than ever.

“Supporting pork producers not only helps local family and farming businesses and the economy, but also helps the environmen­t through reducing the number of food miles.

“While a burst in January during Porc From Wales Week is a step in the right direction, buying locally as often as possible would be a great resolution for the long term.

“By making it the new normal way of shopping, we could then experience a tastier, fresher, sustainabl­e and prosperous 2021 and beyond.”

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 ??  ?? Carmarthen­shire farmer Graeme Carter.
Carmarthen­shire farmer Graeme Carter.

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