Pig farmers are calling on responsible authorities to take serious action to tackle pork smuggling, pointing out that the amount of smuggled pork has increased and could result in severe damage to total domestic pig farming in the fourth quarter.
Surachai Sutthitham, president of the Swine Raisers Association of Thailand, said smuggled pork is now sold in the market at a much lower price of 130-150 baht per kilogramme, compared to 190-200 baht per kg for locally-produced pork.
"The situation, if left uncontrolled, may potentially ruin the whole system of the country's pig farming late this year," said Mr Surachai.
Swine production in Thailand is estimated at 18.4 million pigs in 2022, down 0.66% from 18.5 million pigs last year. The lower level of production stems largely from floods and Africa Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks in 2021 which damaged breeding stock.
The reduction in swine production and limited swine supply during the ASF outbreaks have put upward pressure on swine prices since 2019, leading unscrupulous traders to smuggle into the country pork originating from several countries including the US, Russia, Brazil, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain as well as countries bordering Thailand.
"The association has observed the pork smuggling situation for some time and found the amount of smuggled pork has been continuously increasing," he said. "We would like the Livestock Development Department to come up with a clearer statement on how to tackle the issue and work together with the private sector and farmers to address pork smuggling."
According to Mr Surachai, the ASF outbreaks have begun to ease and Thai pig farmers are now raising one million pigs in order to meet local demand.
"But before the new supply enters the market in the fourth quarter of this year, we should not allow pork smuggling to persist," said Mr Surachai.
According to Mr Surachai, local pig raisers have been suffering from rising production costs since the beginning of 2020 and their plight has been aggravated by the Russia-Ukraine war.
Mr Surachai predicted pig raisers would face further high production costs in the second quarter of 2022.
Nipat Nuannim, president of the Swine Raisers Association of Ratchaburi, said pork smuggling in the country may ruin the overall Thai pig farming industry in the long term and may and bring ASF back into the system.
.jpg?w=600)
