Taiwan pork supply strained

台灣豬肉供應吃緊

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is facing a pork shortage and rising prices, prompting the Ministry of Agriculture to roll out market stabilization measures.

The ministry announced Sunday that steps include temporary market suspensions and reduced purchases by freezing plants. Taiwan Sugar’s August shipments will also be used to boost supply, per CNA and UDN.

Officials said the measures address shortages caused by earlier piglet disease outbreaks and recent typhoon damage in central and southern Taiwan. Pork supply and prices are expected to return to normal by October.

National Animal Industry Foundation data showed that on Aug. 8, 21,034 pigs were traded domestically at an average auction price of NT$111.39 per kilogram. On Aug. 9, 12,184 pigs were traded at NT$112.69 per kg.

Yunlin County meat market general manager Huang Chia-an (黃加安) said that while suspensions aim to stabilize prices, the impact has been limited. Observers noted that low pig survival rates and higher feed costs may keep prices elevated in the short term.

The shortage has also hit Yilan County, which relies on other regions for more than 60% of its pork. Local auction prices have risen from NT$100 to a recent peak of NT$119.64 per kg.

In response, traditional markets in Yilan, which previously closed two days a week, have increased closures to three days since June, adding an extra rest day due to ongoing constraints. Freshly slaughtered pork is now sold only on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Rising beef prices have compounded the problem. Yilan County Agriculture Department Director Lee Hsin-tai (李新泰) said normal production may not resume until year-end.

New Taipei City meat market director Chen Chih-ming (陳志銘) said efforts to supply Taipei and New Taipei rely heavily on personal contacts to secure pigs. However, there are no current plans to extend market suspensions, and Taipei Livestock Products Marketing Corp. confirmed supply remains stable.

Earlier, the ministry mandated a one-day suspension on July 30 and added a Wednesday rest day for all meat markets. Taiwan Sugar plans to increase pork supply by 650 pigs in August.

With the Mid-Autumn Festival and Ghost Festival approaching, demand for pork is expected to rise due to traditional practices. The ministry expects prices to ease after the Mid-Autumn Festival.