Recent increases in pork prices 'unprecedented', say butchers

KUALA LUMPUR: The price of pork has been skyrocketing in Malaysia and is expected to go up even more soon, says the KL and Selangor Butchers' Association (KLSBA).

KLSBA said the price of pork had increased from RM700 per 100kg in Jan 10 to RM1,140 per 100kg on May 1.

''We have no choice but to increase the price of pork sold to retailers and food outlets as there has been an unprecedented increase in the prices of pork since the beginning of this year,'' KLSBA chairman Lee Peng Hock said at a press conference on Thursday (May 5).

He said KLSBA had been holding monthly negotiations with pig farmers to cap pork prices but to no avail.

''We were told by pig farmers that the cost of imported feed had gone up due to several factors including climate change and the war in Ukraine.

''As such, the price of pork sold to retailers and food outlets increased by RM2 per kg in May.

''Be prepared to see it go up by another RM2 per kg later this month,'' he said.

Lee noted that the price of pork would usually rise during festive periods such as Chinese New Year.

''The Chinese dumpling festival is approaching and this will mean an increase in demand for pork while the supply remains limited, pushing prices up again,'' he said.

The festival will be celebrated on June 3 this year.

Prices of Chinese dumplings have increased from RM5 per dumpling to about RM7 recently, Lee added.

''We hope that the government will intervene and talk to the pig farmers to stablise pork prices.

''It is an essential food item not only for the Chinese community but also for the food and beverage sector.

''Any further increase in prices will impact the cost of living and those operating food outlets,'' he added.

At present, Lee said that almost all the pork sold by some 200 butchers in Selangor is from pig farms in Perak and Penang.

''Supply of pork from Negri Sembilan and Melaka has dwindled over the years as pig farmers there face problems in getting their permits renewed by the state.

''We hope that this will also be resolved as it will help increase supply of pork in the market,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Pong Chee Yoong, who runs the well-known Hingkee Bakuteh restaurant in Kepong, said he had to increase the price of each serving by RM1 on May 1.

''Many customers complained but I have no choice as prices of pork have skyrocketed,'' he added.

He said that this was his second price increase this year and the increase before that was made two years ago.

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng said he had raised the matter in the Dewan Rakyat in January but nothing had been done to resolve the problem.

He added that he would raise the issue again in Parliament in July, including writing to relevant ministries to intervene.

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https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/05/05/recent-increases-in-pork-prices-039unprecedented039-say-butchers#.YnXb-s3u2Yw.whatsapp