January 31, 2025
Pig farmers in Sivasagar, Assam, India, against CP Group's entry into domestic pig sector
Hundreds of pig farmers in Sivasagar, Assam, India, took to the streets on January 30, protesting against the potential entry of Thai agricultural giant, Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, into Assam's pig farming sector.
The demonstration cam amid reports that Assam may facilitate establishment of industrial-scale pig farming units by the multinational corporation.
CP Group — parent company of Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) — the world's largest feed and shrimp producer and a global top-three producer of poultryand pork — is expected to participate in Advantage Assam 2.0 on February 25-26. While the farmers aren't opposing the company's presence at the event, they expressed concerns regarding possible agreements that could reshape Assam's pig farming landscape.
With 1.63 million pigs, Assam consists of nearly 16% of India's total pig population, while the entire northeast accounts for 38.42%. The farmers' concerns centre on the potential market disruption that CP Group's entry could cause. With its advanced technology and economies of scale, the Thai agricultural giant could potentially offer pork at significantly lower prices, making it difficult for small-scale farmers to compete.
- Times of India