November 27, 2008
Taiwan to cut hog output to boost pork prices
Taiwanese hog farmers will reduce their output by 20,000 heads in December to help boost falling pork prices on the domestic market, an industry leader said on Wednesday (Nov 26, 2008).
State-run Taiwan Sugar Corp alone will reduce its hog herd by 6,000 head, said Pan Lien-chou, chairman of the ROC Swine Association.
Pan said pork prices have declined to about NT$5,700 (US$171.4) per 100 kg from NT$7,000 (US$210.5) early this year due to higher feed prices. The average pork production cost is NT$6,500 (US$195.4) per 100 kg, said Pan, indicating that the farmers are incurring losses.
The falling pork prices are caused by pork imports and the domestic economy slowdown, said Wang Shun-li, head of the Pingtung hog farming association.
Wang said pork imports tainted with illegal chemical substances, such as ractopamine and melamine, should be banned.
The decision to reduce production was reached with the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture (COA), said Pan.
