May 21, 2007

Thailand's CPF urges government to reduce pig supply

Thailand's largest food processor Charoen Pokphand Foods has urged the Thai government to stem the fall in pork prices by taking measures to reduce supply.

Thailand's newspaper The Nation reported that Virachai Ratanabanchuen, executive vice president of CPF, urged the government to encourage breeders to draw up long term farm management plans to avoid oversupply problems.

One measure suggested was to set up a "Pig Board" to promote the registration of hog farmers so as to better gauge supply.

For the short term however, the government could encourage pork consumption through public campaigns, the company suggested. Medium term measures include limiting the pig litters and culling.