KOTA KINABALU, Jan 2 — Sabah will allow the import of frozen pork products to address the demand of the coming Chinese New Year festive period, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
Kitingan, who is also Sabah agriculture and fishery minister, said the import of pork will be allowed for the time being to address the dwindling supply of pork in the state which is particularly evident during the festive season.
"It is especially to cater for the demand of the Chinese New Year festive season this year," he said when contacted.
The state's domestic pig farming and supply business has affected over the past two years after the most recent bout of African Swine Fever (ASF).
The price of pork has also soared, having increased five times over a six-month period last year.
Kitingan said that the government understood the demand for the meat, especially during festive periods and was prepared to make the allowance.
Recently, Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin said the state government was expected to allow the import of 200 tonnes of pork products before the Chinese New Year period.
Local pig farmers have been badly affected by the ASF outbreak over the last two years, with many forced to shut down after the state ordered culling of all pigs within a district where ASF was detected. The wild boar trade was also affected.
Chan, who is the federal deputy agriculture and food security minister, said that he would be meeting with Domestic Trade and Living Costs Minister Salahuddin Ayub later this week to ensure that pork prices do not surge upward during the Chinese New Year period.
