logo
African Swine Fever slashes Penang pig farms by 25pc, pork prices soar nationwide to RM18/kg

African Swine Fever slashes Penang pig farms by 25pc, pork prices soar nationwide to RM18/kg

Daily Express15-05-2025

Published on: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Published on: Thu, May 15, 2025
By: Malay Mail Text Size: Penang is not the only state hit by ASF. - FMT pic for illustration only. Kuala Lumpur: The pig farming sector in Malaysia is still grappling with the aftermath of African Swine Fever (ASF), which producers say has had a lasting impact on livestock numbers and remains a key factor behind the ongoing surge in pork prices. In Penang alone, the number of pig farms has dropped by 25 per cent following a major outbreak last year, The Star reported today.
Advertisement 'There used to be around 160 farms, but now only about 120 are still operating,' Penang Pig Farmers Association chairman Wong Fu Sheng was quoted as saying. According to Wong, who runs a farm in Valdorin Sungai Jawi, the area with the highest concentration of pig farms in Penang, said the outbreak forced farmers to reduce livestock numbers to prevent overcrowding, which could accelerate the spread of the virus. 'ASF is still our biggest challenge. Many farmers are still recovering from the losses after having to cull their pigs to contain the outbreak,' he was quoted as saying. Wong added that it takes about a year to raise a pig from birth to slaughter. He also said that only about 20 farms remain in Valdor, down from 40 before the outbreak. Penang is not the only state hit by ASF. The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry previously confirmed that thousands of pigs were culled in Selangor and Melaka, resulting in a drop in pork supply and pushing prices higher. The Star reported that a whole local pig is priced at around RM1,800 per 100kg currently, up from RM1,300 to RM1,400 per 100kg a year ago. Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik, whose constituency is home to many pig farms, said the pig population had fallen drastically. 'From a peak of about 90,000 pigs, there are now only between 20,000 and 30,000 left,' he was quoted as saying. In addition to ASF, rising feed costs are putting further pressure on the industry. Wong said the price of maize, a key feed component, had spiked from RM800 per tonne before the Covid-19 pandemic to as much as RM2,000 at its peak. While the government has allowed imported pork to make up for local supply shortages, Wong urged consumers to verify the source of their meat. 'Local farms are strictly regulated. Many have adopted closed farming systems to reduce health risks, environmental pollution and to meet compliance standards. 'Consumers need to be aware that pork from some countries has been banned by health authorities. Always check that your pork is safe,' he was quoted as saying. Data from the Department of Veterinary Services, there were 401 pig farms in peninsular Malaysia and another 118 in Sabah and Sarawak as of 2023. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Minister visits Sepanggar Port after industry feedback
Minister visits Sepanggar Port after industry feedback

Daily Express

time7 hours ago

  • Daily Express

Minister visits Sepanggar Port after industry feedback

Published on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Industrial and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe ( pic ) has taken proactive steps to address congestion and operational concerns raised by logistics and transportation stakeholders at Sepanggar Port. Phoong conducted a follow-up visit to the port and met directly with operator DP World after receiving feedback from key associations including SABFFLA, PPLKKK, and FMM Sabah. Advertisement He was briefed on improvements, including the deployment of three new Rubber Tyred Gantry cranes, which have helped reduce berthing waiting times and improved wharfside operations. Despite these gains, congestion persists at the entrance and container yard due to a spike in export volume, with TEU growth reaching 11 per cent year-on-year as of May this year. DP World is set to roll out a Vehicle Booking System (VBS) in July to ease lorry traffic and reduce queuing times, while the Sepanggar Port expansion remains on schedule for completion by Q3 2026. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Spanish court order probe into PM over airline bailout
Spanish court order probe into PM over airline bailout

The Sun

time8 hours ago

  • The Sun

Spanish court order probe into PM over airline bailout

MADRID: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faced a new legal setback Wednesday as a court ordered an investigation into a potential conflict of interest related to his government's financial bailout of Air Europa. The ruling came a day after the Supreme Court found that Spain's top prosecutor -- a government appointee -- might have breached judicial secrecy in another case, potentially paving the way for a trial. It also follows separate corruption investigations involving Sanchez's wife, his brother, and a former close aide. Madrid's High Court said it had directed the Civil Service Ministry's Office for Conflicts of Interest to investigate whether Sanchez should have recused himself from a 2020 Cabinet meeting that approved a €475 million bailout for Air Europa during the COVID-19 pandemic. The probe stems from a complaint filed by the conservative Popular Party, or PP. That complaint alleges that Globalia -- Air Europa's parent company -- was sponsoring projects linked to Sanchez's wife, Begona Gomez, at the time of the bailout. 'Sanchez gave public funds to someone who had financially supported his wife, and his direct involvement in the bailout must be investigated,' PP sources said Wednesday. The court did not rule on the substance of the allegations. But it did state that the Office for Conflicts of Interest had a legal obligation to examine the case — even if it ultimately finds no wrongdoing. A copy of the June 6 ruling was made public on Wednesday. An initial request by the PP in March was dismissed by the office, which cited a report from the prime minister's general secretariat stating that Gomez had no professional ties to Globalia. However, the court criticised the office for relying solely on that report and said it had found no evidence that a formal investigation had been conducted. Gomez has been under judicial investigation since April over allegations that she may have used her husband's position to advance her professional interests. A court recently ordered part of that probe -- specifically regarding her ties to Globalia -- to be dropped due to a lack of evidence. Sanchez has consistently defended his wife and his government, accusing right-wing and far-right parties of orchestrating what he describes as a smear campaign aimed at destabilizing his administration.

KTC to build RM100 million industrial park at KKIP
KTC to build RM100 million industrial park at KKIP

Daily Express

time9 hours ago

  • Daily Express

KTC to build RM100 million industrial park at KKIP

Published on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Berhad (KTC) has acquired RM40 million worth of land at Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park to develop its largest integrated operations, logistics, and manufacturing hub. The KTC Industrial Park will expand the company's operational base by 40 per cent and is projected to boost annual revenue to between RM1.5 billion and RM1.6 billion. Advertisement KTC Executive Director Datuk Dexter Lau (pic) said the development will enhance warehousing, transportation, and supply chain infrastructure to serve markets in Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and Indonesia. Construction of the RM100 million project will begin soon, with 500 new jobs expected, prioritising employment for locals from underprivileged backgrounds. Lau also announced a RM10 million investment in Sarawak and confirmed KTC has surpassed RM1 billion in revenue, aiming to grow its East Malaysia business by 50 per cent in the next three years. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store