Its chairman, Lee Peng Hock, suggested that young people be encouraged to take up pig farming to strengthen the industry.

“When domestic supply is sufficient to meet domestic demand, we can build a healthier pig farming ecosystem and not rely on imports,” he told FMT.

Lee said a more self-sustaining pork market would also help to stabilise supply and ensure better hygiene, health and safety standards.

He added that this would help to minimise the long-term impact of ASF on the local pork market.

Last Tuesday, the Selangor veterinary services department (DVS) confirmed that 76,000 pigs in 56 of the 114 farms in Kuala Langat and Sepang had tested positive for the swine flu.

The authorities have ordered that all the infected pigs be culled. It also imposed strict controls on the movement of pigs to curb the spread of the virus.

Data from the DVS show that as of 2023, there were 401 pig farms in Peninsular Malaysia and another 118 in East Malaysia.

Price increase

The association’s vice-chairman, Sam Wong, warned that a shortage of pigs would drive pork prices up.

“A ‘live’ pig is now sold at RM1,480 per 100kg, and prices may rise by RM100 to RM200 for every additional kilogramme,” he told FMT.

This, he said, could lead to an increase in the retail price of pork by RM4 or more per kg,” he said.

The supply disruption in Selangor has forced many butchers to turn to Perak to meet consumer demand but this has pushed prices there up as well.

According to China Press, the supply disruption has also fuelled the smuggling of pigs from Thailand where each “live” animal sells at RM1,200 per 100kg, significantly lower than prices in Malaysia.