April 29, 2010

Malaysian pork prices to increase if no new farms

The Malaysia Pork Sellers' Association announced that if the government does not allow more pig farms to be opened soon, the price of pork will continue to rise.

The chairman of the said association, Goh Chui Lai, said the price of the meat in Malaysia was now 30% higher than in Thailand, Vietnam, China and the Philippines.

"In fact, since January the price has increased from MYR7.60 (US$2.38) to MYR7.90 (US$2.47) per kilogramme," he said, adding that the government's move to import pork from Canada and Europe did not help to bring down the price.

Speaking at a press conference here yesterday, Goh said pork in Thailand was sold at MYR600 (US$187.57) per 100 kilogrammes, and about MYR550 (US$171.94) per 100 kilogrammes in Vietnam and China.

"The government should give more permits for pig farms," he said, adding that price increase for pork would burden the people.

President Chin Yoke Weng of Johor Baru Small Business Association said that if price for the meat continued to increase, consumers might find other alternatives. "Then hawkers will have to stop selling pork," he added.

Chin hoped the government would look into the matter before the Duan Wu Festival next month as then there would be a huge demand for the meat to make dumplings.