KUALA LUMPUR: A live pig is selling at RM1,780 per 100kg now after the price is revised for the third time this year, which leads the Selangor Butchers Association to claim that pork sold in Malaysia is most expensive in the world.

The association urged the government to look into the matter for the price to remain stable.

In a press conference called by Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng in Kepong on 13 May, more than 10 pork wholesalers and pork sellers held a banner showing the prices of pork in China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Malaysia where the price of pork here is the highest.

Another banner claims that without intervention by the government to resolve price matters, the price hike is unreasonable and consumers are at a losing end.

Selangor Butchers Association chairman Lee Peng Hock said the supply of live pigs is insufficient in the market.

“Due to shortage, pork traders face the situation of unable to buy live pigs and the price continues to spike. There is no price control on live pigs,’’ he said, adding that the price of live pigs increased 14 times since 2022.

A live pig was sold at RM750 per 100 kg in 2022 where the price soared to RM1,380 per 100 kg in the same year.

In 2023, the price increased further to RM1,680 per 100 kg., Lee said.

The price was revised lower by RM100 per 100 kg in August and October last year where 100kg of live pig was sold at RM1,480.

Since Chinese New Year, the price increased three times and the price reached RM1,780 per 100kg now, Lee said.

The number of pig farmers is fewer now, including the closure of pig farms in Tanjung Sepat in Selangor three months ago due to African Swine Fever (AFS), Lee said.

Some pork traders had no choice but to stop selling as they were unable to buy live pigs.

Lee believes the shortage will continue and predicts another round of price hike in July.

Selangor Butchers Association vice chairman Wong Kat Leong said 60% of pork supply in Malaysia is imported.

He hoped Lim could bring the matter to parliament for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to look into farmers’ plight.