The department of veterinary services is mulling lifting the ban on pork imports from Thailand to control the price of the meat which has surged since the African swine fever outbreak.
Malaysia banned imports of pork products from six countries in 2019 following the outbreak.
Apart from Thailand, the other exporting countries were China, Poland, Belgium, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu said the DVS had reassessed the African swine fever risk analysis and was considering allowing pork from Thailand to re-enter the Malaysian market.
“It is, however, contingent on the meat being audited and approved by the DVS and the need for imports,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.
He was responding to Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah), who wanted to know the ministry’s plans to bring pork prices under control, including allowing for pork to be imported temporarily from neighbouring countries.
According to a Straits Times report in May, the price for a 1kg fresh pork belly in the Klang Valley was about RM40, a 33% increase from RM30 five years ago.
The Star had also previously reported that a whole local pig is currently priced at about RM1,800 per 100kg, an increase from RM1,300-RM1,400 per 100kg a year ago.
Prices surged after the swine fever outbreak impacted livestock numbers, with thousands of pigs culled in Selangor and Melaka, and the number of pig farms dropping by 25% in Penang.
Apart from considering lifting the ban on pork imports from Thailand, Mohamad said the DVS had approved the import of pork from 130 abattoirs from nine countries to ensure sufficient supply.
He said the department has also made it easier for Selangor to import live pigs from Sarawak to cater to the demand in West Malaysia.
