KUCHING, Jan 2: The upward pressure on pork prices have gained momentum during the Christmas and New Year celebrations due to limited supplies and increased demand, which is a common phenomenon worldwide.
Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Dr Stephen Rundi said the price hike for pork was also greatly caused by the spike in the operating costs coupled with the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in Sarawak.
“The shortage of supply was significantly due to the recent ASF outbreak, which has greatly reduced live pig production,” said Dr Rundi in a press statement today.
Besides, the increase in the price of feed which used to be RM800 per tonne now costs RM2,000 per tonne.
He pointed out that raw materials are costly, and operating costs are high too; thus, total costs have gone up by 50 to 60 per cent, citing the fact that imported grain corn price has increased from USD165.45 per tonne to USD255.5 per tonne.
His ministry, through the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS), only has the autonomy to regulate livestock development, disease control, and matters pertaining to import and export control.
He said price control on essential goods rests with Domestic Trade and Living Costs Ministry (KPDN).
His ministry is currently proposing to KPDN to set a ceiling price for pork.
Meanwhile, he said the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) statistics have shown that there are two main sources of fresh pork supply for the Sarawak market.
The first major supplier of fresh pork is from the Pig Farming Area (PFA) in Pasir Puteh, Simunjan, sold through Precious Food Products Sdn Bhd more than 17 retail outlets under the brand of Borneo Pork.
He said DVSS observed that there is no increase in the selling price of pork by this company.
The breeders of different scales outside PFA is the other major supplier, whose live pigs are sold to butchers, and thereafter, the pork is sold in wet markets and to food vendors and butcher shops.
“The pork that these market outlets sell are the ones that are found to have increased in price in recent months,” said Dr Rundi. — DayakDaily
