It is learned from the national hog slaughter conference held on Nov. 12 that the government is to launch a special campaign to crack down on illegal hog slaughter for six months from Dec. on.
The crackdown will no doubt improve pork safety, but against the backdrop of a sluggish hog market, BOABC is concerned that the action may subdue hog production.
Designated slaughterhouses have a higher cost of production and are in a position to force down hog procurement price. Because of more links of production and distribution in the designated slaughterhouse system, pork supplied by designated slaughterhouses is more expensive than in the past, which may curtail pork consumption.
With the elimination of unauthorized slaughterhouses, hog surplus is expected to worsen, only to push down hog price further.
Many farming households sell hogs to small slaughterhouses. With the closedown of small slaughterhouses, hog price is predicted to slump. Consequently, farming households may quit hog production. When brood sow farms have difficulty selling piglets, they are expected to cut sow inventory.
