(Segamat, January 4) The threat of African swine fever and the rise in feed prices have caused the price of domestic pork to soar by 80% in just one year. Housewives have switched to other meats, restaurants have switched to frozen imported pork, and even meat jerky companies have begun to develop "chicken and pig in one" meat jerky, which has reduced the business volume of pork vendors by at least 25%.
DAP Limbang State Assemblyman Huang Zhiqing visited Segamat today to understand the 80% increase in pork prices in just one year from meat vendors, cooked food vendors and pork food companies, and listened to the voices of the above industry professionals.
According to data provided by pork vendors, the farm price of raw pork was RM8 per kilogram last year, but has now risen to RM14 per kilogram, an increase of 80%. For example, a 100-kilogram pig had a farm price of about RM80 to RM100 a year ago, but is now priced at RM1,400.
The farm price of raw pork has been rising steadily, and pork vendors frankly feel helpless. They said that the increase in costs has led to a rise in pork prices in the market. Consumers often do not understand the reason and point the finger at pork vendors, making them feel like "dumb people eating bitter herbs, unable to speak out their bitterness."
Pork vendors, cooked food vendors and pork food industry players have responded calmly and racked their brains to control the high costs, including using other meats to reduce dependence on pork and switching to frozen imported pork.
When interviewed, Zhou Fuhui (45 years old), owner of Hui Fresh Pork Food Trading, pointed out that the price of raw pork has been rising almost every month since 2022, and has never fallen.
He pointed out that the biggest problem lies in pig farms. Faced with a 100% increase in feed prices and the threat of African swine fever, farm operators have withdrawn from the market or reduced the number of pigs raised by half.
He took his own supplier as an example. He originally raised 5,000 pigs per month. In recent years, facing risks, the number of pigs has been reduced to 2,500, causing the supply of pork in the market to be "more monks and less porridge".
The rise in pork prices has also deeply affected the business of pork vendors. Zhou Fuhui revealed that his business volume has fallen by at least 25%. Housewives have reduced their purchases of pork. Even if they buy, they only buy a small amount, and no longer buy more pork to stockpile as before.
“Consumers have also turned to other meats. After all, the price of pork at RM20 to RM30 per kilogram is comparable to the price of seafood. ”
He also revealed that many restaurants have turned to buying frozen imported pork, which has not increased in price as much in comparison.
Koufu Bak Kut Teh owner Liu Jingcheng (58 years old) pointed out in an interview that the price of pork has risen sharply, and his Bak Kut Teh price has been forced to adjust four times in a year, from RM12 per seat to RM16.
He admitted that business has indeed been affected and working people have reduced their patronage.
Xin Zhang Yi Ji Wonton Noodles owner Zhang Ganpeng (53 years old) revealed in an interview that the price of his wonton noodles has also increased from RM5.50 per plate to RM6 due to the increase in pork prices.
“Although the price of wonton noodles has increased, customers can still accept and understand it. ”
He has been selling wonton noodles for 30 years and sometimes faces the problem of insufficient pork supply. Suppliers have been unable to deliver pork to their door due to insufficient supply.
“If you want to increase the quantity, you must book in advance. ”
Guo Xiaolian (35 years old), a shareholder of Segamat Red House Charcoal Grilled Meat Jerky, pointed out in an interview that in order to reduce dependence on pork, they created a "chicken and pork in one" jerky this year and named it "a match made in heaven".
“Pork prices have increased too much, but we don't want to pass it on to consumers, so we developed a mixture of chicken and pork jerky ourselves, and this year is the first year to launch it on the market. Inevitably, the price of jerky this year will still increase by 10%. ”
Huang Zhiqing said that she would reflect the pork price problem to the central government and the Johor state government.
She said that, in the final analysis, pig farms are the root of the whole problem, and the government should help pig farmers solve the problems, including swine fever, employees, feed price increases, etc., in order to stop the rising trend of pork prices.
News from: https://www.orientaldaily.com.my/index.php/news/south/2023/01/04/537973
China
