May 15, 2008

Taiwan pig prices hit nine-year high on skyrocketing feed costs

Taiwan's pig prices have hit a nine-year high at TWD7,010 (US$226) per 100 kilogrammes on Wednesday due to escalating feed costs.

During the second half of last year, pigs in Vietnam were sold for TWD4,700 per 100 kg.

In February this year, prices shot up to TWD6,000 before hitting an average of TWD6,491 in April.

Just over the first few days of May, prices went up to TWD6,886 and reached TWD7,012 over the weekend, breaking the TWD7,000 level.

The last time pig prices hit TWD7000 in the country was in 1999, due to a mass culling of pigs in the aftermath of the foot-and-mouth disease.

US$1 = TWD30.99 as of May 15, 2008