West Malaysia allows Borneo pigs to ease shortages as ASF disrupts domestic pork production.
Sarawak has emerged as a key player in efforts to stabilize Malaysia’s pork supply and prices as African swine fever (ASF) continues to disrupt production across the country.
So far, 1,600 live pigs from Sarawak have been shipped to Port Klang for slaughter to help offset production shortfalls in West Malaysia. The pigs came from Green Breeder Farm in Pasir Putih, Simunjan—the only pig farm in Malaysia licensed to export live pigs internationally, and currently the sole supplier of live pigs to Singapore.
With two shipments already sent to West Malaysia, Green Breeder is expected to continue supplying the peninsula in the months ahead. Other Sarawak-based farms are also preparing to add to the shipments, signaling a new phase of interregional trade that could ease supply gaps.
This marks a significant policy shift. For years, West Malaysia had barred live pigs from Borneo in order to protect its once large and vibrant domestic pig industry. But the devastating spread of ASF has weakened production so severely that authorities are now relying on Sarawak to maintain supply stability.
Malaysia’s overall pig population has suffered a sharp contraction. The national herd dropped from 1.86 million in 2021 to just 1.24 million in 2024, underscoring the scale of losses caused by ASF and the resulting culling measures.
While Sarawak’s shipments provide short-term relief, the federal government is also investing in longer-term reforms. Plans include expanding modern pig farming (MPF) systems and creating designated Pig Farming Areas (PFA) in major producing states.
One such project is a PFA in Tongod, Sabah (East Malaysia), with an investment of USD 5.8 million. The facility will include biosecure infrastructure designed to support integrated and sustainable pig farming.
Authorities are also working with farmers, processors, and importers to improve disease control and ensure better preparedness for future disruptions.
Malaysia’s pork self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) currently stands at 67.8%—its lowest level in years. With domestic supply under strain and consumer prices rising, Sarawak’s role as a stabilizer has become increasingly critical.
If additional Sarawak farms join Green Breeder in supplying West Malaysia, the move could soften the supply gap created by ASF. However, questions remain over whether these measures will be enough to rebuild resilience in an industry facing structural decline.
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