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Cambodia: ‘Abnormally’ high price of pork
The Pig Support in Cambodia Association claims that the price of imported live pigs is abnormally high.
The association says there are now six companies granted a business licence to import the animals from foreign countries. Most come from Thailand.
According to the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production, the price of live pigs in Cambodia is around from 11,000 riels (about $2.70) to 12,000 riels per kilogramme (kg). But the association said that the price is currently priced at 14,000 ($3.50) per kg. The pork is being sold at 23,800 riels, while bacon fetched 22,000 riels as of June 8.
San Chantheth, president of
the Pig Support in Cambodia Association was speaking at a news conference on Monday attended by 150 pork vendors and slaughterers.
“This really affects the local people and even local pork vendors because the price is abnormally high. It really affects the local people,” he said.
Last month, the Ministry of Agriculture rejected accusations that it had offered a company exclusive rights to import pigs from Thailand, according to a letter responding to the Pig Support in Cambodia Association.
However, the ministry has temporary banned two companies, saying that they have abused the ministry’s regulations on imports.
“After the ministry’s actions, we note the extent of local pig-raising, both by small breeders as well as commercial farming has increased and the price is also stable,” the letter read.
Tan Phannara, director-general of the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production
at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said there are six companies allowed to import live pigs from neighbouring countries. He said 1,800 to 2,100 live pigs per day were imported from Thailand. He added that each company is allowed to import 300 live pigs.
“To support the farmers’ livelihoods, to stabilise pig prices in the local market, to reduce migration and to support local companies to produce live pigs for the market, the government decided to reduce imported live pigs by up to 70 percent,” said Phannara
Phannara added that the government will also ban imported live pigs to Sihanouk province as requested by the Cambodia Livestock Raisers Association because the farms there have enough capacity.
Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50731794/abnormally-high-price-of-pork/