The price of live pigs has increased by more than 50% four times in two months. The Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Butchers Association urges the government to intervene.
Live pig prices have risen by more than 50% four times in two months. The Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Butchers Association urges the government to intervene
(Kuala Lumpur, 2nd) Live pig prices have risen four times in the past two months since January this year, with an increase of more than 50%. Now, every 100 kilograms of pork is over RM1,000, setting a record high price.
The Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Butchers Association accused the unreasonable surge in live pig prices, which may involve monopoly and profiteering in the pig farming industry, and urged the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture to intervene in the investigation and control prices.
Lee Bing Fook, chairman of the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Butchers Association, said that the price of live pigs started at RM700 per 100 kg. In the past two months, from January to the end of February, the price has increased four times, with an increase of more than 50%. Now, the price of live pigs per 100 kg has soared from RM700 to RM1,060, reaching an all-time high. The previous highest record was only around RM880 per 100 kg.
“Between January 10 and 24, the price first increased by RM60 to RM760, then on February 6 it increased to RM860, on the 13th it increased to RM960, and on the 28th it increased by RM100 each time, reaching RM1,060. Assuming that the price of a pig in January was RM1,000, it is now more than RM1,500. ”
This means that from January to the end of February, the price of live pigs has been raised four times, from RM700 to RM1,060, an increase of 51% or RM360.
He said that if the soaring prices are not stopped, pig farmers may quote RM1,160 next week. He said that he hopes to stabilize the current price at RM960 or below.
Lee Beng Hock held a press conference this afternoon, accompanied by DAP Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng and DAP Federal Territory Public Complaints Bureau Director You Jiahao, to complain about the increase in live pig prices, but the government authorities have no perfect mechanism to control it.
Even though prices of all commodities have increased, he believes that some price increases can be avoided or implemented at a more appropriate time. It is not that live pigs are not eligible for price increases, but the increase in the current short period of time has reached the level of "three no's", that is, it should not be, is not necessary, and is not supported.
He directly criticized the current government for being slow to supervise prices in various industries. Whether it is the previous increase in chicken prices or the current double-digit increase in live pig prices, it can be seen that the government's mechanism for controlling prices is weak. Therefore, he called on the Ministry of Trade and Consumer Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture to pay attention to this matter and take action as soon as possible to intervene in the investigation of the reasons for multiple price increases within two months.
“We do not want to argue about which industry has made more profits, but if some industries are involved in making huge profits or manipulating prices, the authorities should coordinate and resolve them immediately. ”
He added that the Slaughterers' Association and the pig farmers sent five representatives to hold talks at noon today, but the latter took a tough stance, saying that the current price of RM1,060 per kilogram is a foregone conclusion and will not yield.
“The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture should intervene to set a ceiling price”
A member of the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Slaughterers' Association, Huang Jiliang, said that the farm pig farmers had a tough attitude and there was no room for negotiation. The price after the increase was the only one. They had an attitude of “If you want it, buy it. If you don't want it, you have no pigs to sell”. There was no choice but to bite the bullet and buy it.
He also mentioned that due to the outbreak of African swine fever in Malacca, about 30 pig farms were forced to close. Now the pig farms in Ipoh have become the largest source of supply in the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur areas. It is not ruled out that the sudden price increase is suspected of monopolizing the market.
“Because Ipoh is not affected by African swine fever for the time being, they use this to monopolize the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor markets, because most of our pigs come from Ipoh, and a small amount comes from Malacca. ”
Another member, Liao Yongrun, urged pig farm operators to stop raising the price of live pigs, because making temporary huge profits will never last long, but will cause a series of chain reactions.
“If pork prices are high, our pork industry will be burdened. We cannot absorb the price difference ourselves, and we are forced to pass it on to customers, causing them to increase costs or restaurants to raise prices. ”
He agreed with Li Bingfu's view that the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture should intervene to investigate the cost and profit of pig farming on farms, and then set a ceiling price like chicken to curb price increases.
Members of the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Butchers Association who attended the event responded to Lin Liping, saying that the business volume was affected by 20 to 50% due to the price increase, and customers complained.
“For example, customers used to be able to buy 1 kg of pork with RM10. Now that the price has increased, they will tend to pay more for RM10 instead of paying more for pork that has increased to RM15 per kilogram.
Lin Liping: Bring the issue to Parliament
You Jiahao said that whether it is food or commodity prices, the price increase has always been determined based on the balance between supply and demand.
He said that according to observations, the market supply and demand of pork is stable, and there is no excessive demand or unsalable products. However, the sudden and drastic price adjustment by the farm has caused the market to buy less, which is not fair to the entire consumer market.
“Malaysia has not been devastated by war, nor is there a shortage of pork. Pig farmers should not raise prices in this way and then pass it on to consumers. ”
Lin Liying said that pork is a necessary meat for the Chinese community to eat three times a day. Regarding the shocking rise in pork prices, he will bring this issue to Parliament.
“If I have the opportunity to meet the ministers of the relevant departments, I will also ask them in person. ”
Apr 28,2022