June 18, 2008

Malaysian pig farmers could sell pork on their own anytime soon and that may lead to higher pig prices but lower pork prices.

The Malaysian Pork Sellers Association was unhappy at the Federation of Livestock Farmers' Association (FLFAM) for raising the ex-farm price of pork to RM 7.10 per kg from RM 6.50.

As a result, pork sellers had threatened to stop selling pork for three days in a week. However, FLFAM retaliated by asking its members to sell pork on their own. Most farmers had agreed to do so, with some in Perak and Penang already doing it, according to FLFAM Pig Unit chairman Beh Kim Hee.

Beh said farmers will buy or rent shop lots near the wet market and they would apply licenses from the local government. He also said that the ex-farm price could increase further to RM 7.40 per kg.

Beh said the price increase was due to high demand but tight supplies as many farmers had reduced their production due to high input costs.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Pork Sellers Association chairman Goh Chui Lai warned that pork demand would drop if the pig farmers insist on the price hike.