August 6, 2025

 

ASF outbreaks to slash Malaysia's pork self-sufficiency to under 70% 

 

The Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security says the country's pork self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) dropped by 15 percentage points to 69.6% in 2023 from 84.6% in 2022 due to African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks.

 

Though Malaysia achieved 93.4% pork SSR in 2021, the government now targets 90% by 2030. ASF outbreaks reduced Malaysia's self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) for pork from 84.6% in 2022 to 69.6 % in 2023.

 

SSR for a particular commodity is calculated by dividing domestic production by total domestic utilisation. A higher SSR indicates greater food security, as the country is less reliant on imports.

 

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said that the farm price of live pigs has been rising due to ASF.

 

"In June 2024, the farm price of live pigs was RM17.03 per kilogramme (kg) (US$4.03), rising to RM17.78/kg (US$4.21) in June 2025, indicating a 4.4% increase," said Mohamad.

 

There is an ongoing ASF outbreak in Tasek Gelugor, Penang, with the Penang Department of Veterinary Services (JPVPP) reporting last July 27 another infected pig farm in Kampung Selamat, bringing the total number of infected farms in the area to four.

 

A total of 1,083 pigs have been culled at two of the four infected farms, New Straits Times reported. The ASF outbreak was first reported on July 7.

 

"We haven't calculated the estimated losses. But once a farm is confirmed positive, all livestock must be culled. The total pig population across the four infected farms is about 6,000," JPVPP director Dr Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab was quoted as telling reporters.

 

Malaysia's pork SSR has been declining over the past few years, according to a 2022/2023 report on livestock statistics by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), from 93.4 % in 2021 to 84.6 % in 2022, and now down to 69.6 % in 2023, the most recent data available as cited by Mohamad.

 

The 15-point SSR decline from 2022 to 2023 exceeded the 8.8-point drop between 2021 and 2022.

 

Mohamad said in a statement last May that the government targeted 90 % pork SSR in five years by 2030.

 

Mohamad said DVS has taken various measures to ensure sufficient domestic supply of pork, such as simplifying export of live pigs from Sarawak to Selangor for slaughter.

 

Modern pig farming (MPF) and special pig farming areas (PFA) have also been implemented for states that farm pigs, with state governments regulating the industry under state pig farming enactments to ensure controlled and sustainable pig farming that doesn't pollute the environment.

 

Penang, Perak, Selangor, and Sabah have implemented MPF, whereas Sarawak and Negeri Sembilan implement PFA.

 

"These policies ensure the sustainability of pig farming with enclosed farms, sewage control, buffer zones, and good pig farming practices," said Mohamad.

 

DVS has also conducted stakeholder engagement sessions with farmers, butchers, and importers to ensure effective management of farming challenges and swine disease control.

 

-      Code Blue