August 8, 2007

Thai hog farmers see drop in pork prices

Swine producers in Thailand believe high pork prices will ease soon and could fall due to few public festivals scheduled during the three-month Buddhist Lent period, the Bangkok Post reports.

Surachai Sutthitham, president of the Swine Raisers Association of Thailand, said pork prices were currently around 46 baht (US$1.51) per kilogramme and had been increasing continuously after falling in late 2006 and early 2007 to as low as 28 baht/kg (US$0.92).

The price increases follow a campaign to promote more consumption of pork but they could not offset farmers' losses and increasing feed costs, he said.

Surachai cautioned farmers to avoid raising more pigs to enjoy current high prices, but instead wait for the situation to become more stable.