GREEDY PORK SELLERS
Pork sellers in Malaysia giving lots of excuses that the pork price escalates every year. Do they decreases the price when the supply of pork overflows? Do not blame the pig farmers for increasing prices because the feed and vaccines prices also gone up. Another tactic from pork sellers by keeping pork prices from farmers low while pork sellers maintain high selling prices (better sales margin), they came up with stories of some farmers still using Beta-Agonists (a compound to promote leanness and growth, as it can cause cancer if contained in large amounts). If there are farmers using Beta-Agonists, pork sellers easily can identify which and who are using. Stern warning should be imposed to Pork Sellers, do not over charged consumers!!!
Pork sellers grunt in disapproval over rising price of pigs
KUALA LUMPUR: The escalating price of live pigs is taking a toll on pork sellers, causing a slowdown in their businesses and raising the possibility of a 20% increase in pork prices before Chinese New Year.
According to the Selangor and Federal Territory Butchers’ Association, pig farmers have increased their prices by almost 45% in the past six months.
Association member Wong Chee Kat, 38, said the price of live pigs was RM760 per 100kg now, compared to RM530 in 2007, adding that the drastic price increase had left pork sellers with little or no profit at all.
“We are talking about more than RM1,000 per pig now. Before, a pig used to cost around RM600.
“How are we supposed to make a profit? We also have to pay our workers and other expenses.
“We have fewer customers now because pork is expensive. If customers were buying pork everyday before, it’s only once a week now or on special occasions, as they are switching to other alternatives like chicken,” said Wong during a press conference after association members gathered at the Jinjang Utara market yesterday to voice their collective opinion on the issue.
Association adviser Datuk Dr Lee Chong Meng said it was ridiculous for farmers to cite increased costs of production because the prices of the main food for pigs, like corn and soy, showed little increase from 2007.
He said the matter had been taken to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry a few times with no result. “All we are asking for is a fair price,” said Lee.
Meanwhile, Domestic Trade, Coope-ratives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said pork would be among food items included in the price control list for the Chinese New Year celebration.
“We had set a ceiling price for turkey meat during Christmas last year. So, it is only fair that we include pork for the Chinese New Year,” he said after opening a Consumer Awareness campaign in Penang.
The price control will apply from Feb 7 to 21.
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