December 20, 2022

Sarawak state, Malaysia to allow pork imports due to supply shortage

Datuk Seri Stephen Rundie Utom, the Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development for Sarawak state, Malaysia, said the state will allow imports of pork and pork products from nations free from food and mouth disease (FMD) due to a pork supply shortage, Malay Mail reported.

He said importers must apply for a permit from the state Veterinary Services Department before they can bring in pork and pork products into the state.

According to a statement he released, the rise in pork prices in Sarawak was due to a lack of swine available for slaughter, as the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) resulted in many swine farms closing down.

He said this has caused the siwne population to drop from 400,000 to about 250,000, adding that many swine have been culled from contaminated farms and slaughterhouses.

Rundie said the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has increased the cost of animal feed, particularly corn, which in turn has pushed up the cost of pork in the state.

Rundie said that in order to regulate the export and import of pork, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, working with the veterinary services department, is keeping an eye on pork prices.

He said that there would be an adequate supply of pork and swine from the Simunjan Pig Farming Area in Pasir Puteh for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

In comparison to Peninsular Malaysia and neighbouring Sabah, he added, pork is still more affordable in Sarawak state.

-      Malay Mail