KUCHING: The Sarawak government should look into having a more comprehensive plan such as to allow and increase importation of pork from approved countries to address the soaring pork price in Sarawak.
Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations president Datuk Richard Wee said this could mitigate the price and supply structure for the marketplace to ease the present situation and to cater to the demand of the Chinese New Year festive season.
The entire industry, he said, would need some time to return to normalcy, therefore, such a plan to provide a continuous supply of pork would be the most effective way to stabilise the pricing.
Wee said the increase of pork price in Sarawak was due to the shortage of pigs for slaughtering as many pig farms had been closed due to the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), which is basically a demand and supply issue.
“The ASF has affected the pig farmers as well as the entire market and supply chain of pork.
“Price rise when there is a shortage of supply and the prices will eventually drop when there is sufficient supply.
“This is basic economics,” he told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted.
On consumers preferring local pork instead of imported frozen pork, Wee opined that preference of product is another matter.
“If one prefers fresher products or local pork, then, they may have to pay for price differentials but what is important now is that at least there are alternatives and options,” he explained.
The ASF was first detected in Limbang in July 2021 and has spread to several locations in the state, which resulted in the drop of the number of pig population from the previous 400,000 to about 250,000.
The industry was badly affected as many pigs had been culled from contaminated farms and slaughtering houses as there is no vaccine to solve the outbreak.
Moreover, the high cost of animal feed, especially corn, have also pushed up the price of pork in the state, following the Ukrainian-Russian war.
On Sunday, Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen claimed that pork prices in the state would increase RM3 per kg this week and urged the Sarawak government to stabilise it before the Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan 22.
Meanwhile, Consumers Voice Association of Sarawak (Covas) president Michael Tiong said the issue of increasing pork prices should have been rectified as it has been happening since last year.
He said the state’s pork consumption was considered high, hence, the majority would be feeling the pinch if the issue was left unattended.
“The government must not leave it unattended at the expense of people’s chores despite consumers may opt for alternatives or consume less pork.
“We understand that it was due to the ASF outbreak but something must be done to at least stabilise the price for now, otherwise, it will add burden to businesses and consumers,” he added.
Apart from allowing pork imports, he said the government must provide ongoing assistance to the local pig farmers until the industry fully recovers or returns to normalcy, which would also help to prevent price increase in the price of pork in Sarawak.
Tiong said the government must come out with some initiatives to ensure the public has access to the sufficient and affordable pork supply during the Chinese New Year festive season.
Sabah, which is also facing the similar issue, had assured that 200 tonnes of pork products would be shipped there before the Chinese New Year.
Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin said it was part of the Sabah government’s efforts to address the demand for pork products as most of their pig farmers had been severely affected by the ASF outbreak over the last two years.
