Malaysia's pig price back to normal

The ex-farm price of pigs in Malaysia has gone back down to MYR.90 per kg, from MYR9.87 per kg over the past two weeks.

According to Agriculture and Agro-based industries deputy minister Chua Tee Yong, the move by National Pork Sellers Association (NPSA) to raise the price of all types of pork by MYR2 a kg was only a temporary measure in view of the Dumplings Festival. The situation, however, will not last, he added.

It has been reported that there has been a shortage of full-grown pigs, which weigh around 120kg each, for close to a month. The cost of pork for a 80kg pig is MYR11.29 per kg compared with only MYR9.88/kg from a full-grown one.

However, Chua said there is a need to increase productivity in the pork industry as he did not want to see a shortage whenever a festival comes up. At a meeting with the Federation of Livestock Farmers' Association of Malaysia (FLFAM) and the NPSA, he urged the state governments to be more aware of the problems faced by pig farmers, especially in the relocation of farms due to developments.

Meanwhile, the pig population in Malaysia now is about 1.4 million compared with about 2.4 million in 1997.