COVID resulted in the price of pork dropping from over $20 a kilo to as low as $7.50 - Cole

COVID resulted in the price of pork dropping from over $20 a kilo to as low as $7.50 - Cole

By Shanil Singh
Sunday 27/03/2022
Fiji Pig Association, Simon Cole. [Image: Supplied]

The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 and the closure of the tourism industry led to a huge decrease in the price of pork with prices dropping from over $20 a kilo to as low as $7.50.

The President of the Fiji Pig Association, Simon Cole says the industry was poised for growth before the COVID-19 pandemic but the outbreak closed the tourism industry and dramatically changed the marketplace.

Cole says the dramatic drop in price was attributed to the over supply of pigs destined for the tourism industry that flooded into the depressed COVID market.

He adds while the three major producers in Fiji faced losses of up to 60% of their markets because of the pandemic, many of the smaller pig farms have closed.

Cole says there has been a 50% reduction in the size and numbers of piggery farms and the reopening of the tourism industry has resulted in a shortage of product.

He says they are an industry which employs over 200 people in the commercial sector and a large subsistence sector with up to 13,000 pig keepers.

However, he adds the pig industry is back thanks to strong support from the Government and banks as well as the high level of efficiency and professionalism within the industry.

Cole says a major help have been the banks who have rescheduled loan repayments, as well as providing financing for immediate needs.

He adds despite the challenges, keeping costs down and production up and continuing to provide the consumer an international quality product at affordable prices is their bottom line.




fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
FEATURE NEWS
Shaky start for Fiji Men’s 7s at the Dubai 7s escaping with a 21-14 win over the USA
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side had a shaky start to their Dubai 7s campaign after securing a close win over the USA in their first pool mat...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Dubai 7s: Fijiana secures 38-17 win over Great Britain in first pool match
The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side opened their Dubai 7s campaign with a remarkable 31-12 win over Great Britain this afternoon. Fiji scored two ...
2 hours ago

All Fijians can make a difference – Kiran
All Fijians can make a difference, no matter how small it may seem as every action counts and shows the power of volunteering which is the power of ...
2 hours ago

BSP Life Group hands over $35,000 to WOWS Kids Fiji after completing 200 million steps
In support of the vital work of Walk On Walk Strong (WOWS) Kids Fiji Foundation, the BSP Life Group and its partners completed 200 million steps over ...
3 hours ago

Fiji focusing on starting SVNS series on a high note
As the countdown begins for the HSBC SVNS Series, the Fiji Airways National 7s team is focused on starting the series on a high note as they face USA ...
5 hours ago

LTA vehicle examiner charged for passing vehicle without complying with proper procedures
A vehicle examiner at the Land Transport Authority has been charged by FICAC for corruption related offences for allegedly passing a vehicle without ...
9 hours ago
IN DEPTH
PM’s motion passed to reduce overseas travel allowances for the PM, Ministers, Assistant Ministers, Leader of Opposition and MPs
Parliament has passed the Prime Minister’s motion to reduce the rates payable for overseas travelling allowances for the Prime Minister, Cabinet ...
10 days ago

CEO of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, Joel Abraham appears on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
CEO of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, Joel Abraham appears on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
16 days ago

HIV infections in Fiji increased 260% since 2010, making Fiji the second fastest-growing epidemic in the Asia Pacific region
Speaker of Parliament and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for the Pacific Region, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau says according to the Global AIDS Monitoring Report, Fiji is in the top 5 countries of rising new HIV infections in the Asia Pacific region amongst the 15 t
21 days ago

TOP