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Cambodia: Pig imports fall to 15 percent of demand as more turn to farming

Cambodia is importing less pork as local farmers breed more pigs in order to take advantage of stable and higher prices for the commodity.

The President of the Cambodian Livestock Raisers Association Srun Pov said pork imports have dropped during the Coronavirus pandemic as the domestic supply has risen sharply.

“Currently, the supply of pigs in the local market from local farmers and breeders is about 85 percent…and the rest of the pigs are imported,” he said.

Srun said there are more domestic pig farmers because a lot of people who lost their jobs during the pandemic have turned to raising livestock as an alternative, given the current high prices for pigs and other animals.

However, some traders are unhappy because the government has restricted imports from abroad, he said.

Others say importing too many pigs could hurt local farmers’ livelihoods and may lead to an outbreak of African swine fever, which is taking hold in neighbouring countries and could decimate the livestock industry as it did a few years ago.

President of the Council of Cambodian Livestock Breeders, and Managing Director of M’s Pig ACMC Cambodia Ly Laville said pig importers should become pig farmers because it benefits the economy by increasing demand for raw materials for breeding and producing safer local pork.

Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50897550/pig-imports-fall-to-15-percent-of-demand-as-more-turn-to-farming/