BANGKOK, Nov 29 – The global pork prices have risen as the highly contagious and deadly African Swine Fever (ASF) takes a heavy toll on China pork supply, said Wiwat Pongwiwatchai, vice president of the Swine Raisers Association of Thailand.
The outbreak led to the culling of millions of pigs in many countries. China’s pig production has been severely affected by the disease, which caused a sharp drop of pig supply by 300 million pigs from 500 million pigs annually.
Pig prices in China increased from 60 baht per kilogramme in January this year to 140 baht per kilogramme in Oct, said Wiwat.
According to China’s Agriculture Ministry, retailed pork prices rose 170 per cent from last year. In Europe, prices of pigs and piglets rose 31 per cent and 56 per cent respectively.
As Thailand can prevent to the outbreak, he said it has benefited from the current situation.
China imports several thousand pigs from Thailand and it is likely to take up to a year before China’s swine production system will return to normal, he added. (TNA)
