April 7, 2011

Cambodia lacks local pig supply

There was currently not enough locally produced pork to meet Cambodia's domestic demand, the country's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Chan Sarun said.

"A lack of pork production requires temporary imports, costing revenue, without considering the impact of illegal imports," he said.

There were generally sufficient quantities of cattle, buffalo, and poultry to supply domestic markets, he added.

Chan Sarun claimed the average Cambodian consumed 15 kilogrammes of beef, 9.75 kilogrammes of pork, and two kilogrammes of chicken per year, figures which he said were below the regional average.

Cambodia Pig Raiser Association Technical Director Trai Bin Lai said a lack of know-how with raising swine was a concern.

"The Minister should open a national strategy to urge more people to raise pigs."

Kampong Cham province pig raiser Ban Neiseang said she was raising only six pigs this year, after losing US$2,000 in the industry when she was raising about 30 animals in 2010.

She blamed low pork prices and fierce competition from animals imported from Vietnam for the loss.

"If the price of pork increases, I will raise more pigs," she said.