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Business began to unravel for Thai pig farmer Jintana Jamjumrus two years ago after dozens of her animals became feverish and died within days of a mysterious illness, which she suspected was a vaccine-free viral disease known as African Swine Fever (ASF).
This month, authorities identified the first case of ASF in Jintana province of Nakhon Pathom after years of saying it was not in Thailand, setting off a political firestorm as pork prices hit an all-time high they could remain close to for months.
In parliament, an opposition lawmaker accused the government of a years-long cover-up, although a deputy agriculture minister denied this, saying authorities had managed to keep the disease at bay in previous years.
But small farmers, whose losses drove 54% of them into bankruptcy last year, are skeptical, particularly as the viral disease, for which there is no vaccine, has killed hundreds of millions of pigs in Europe and Asia since 2018.
The earlier warning would have saved their livelihoods, small farmers say, and perhaps averted the pork shortage that drove retail prices in Bangkok to 215 baht (US$ 6.47) per kg on January 11, the daily average highest in a database dating back to 2001.
High prices have led to a ban on live animal exports until April, and consumer prices may remain high as production may take months to recover, putting further pressure on rural communities already suffering from pig losses.
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Since confirmation, Thailand has discovered African swine fever in 22 areas across 13 provinces and culled more than 400 pigs, all on small farms, said Bunyagith Pinprasong, director of the Bureau of Disease Control and Veterinary Services.
Most previous pig deaths were because of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), he said.
“We have implemented strict and effective measures to prevent ASF, which is why it has not been found before,” he said. “We will control and contain its spread until a vaccine is developed.”
LOW PRODUCTION
By the time Thailand confirmed the first ASF outbreak this month, nearly 100,000 smallholders, or those raising up to 50 pigs, had disappeared, leaving just 79,000, government figures on the livestock industry show.
Smallholder herds have been halved to 1 million pigs, accounting for most of the loss in the national herd, which stands at 10.85 million, down 17% from 13.1 million last year, the data shows.
“The current decline in pigs is due to previous disease outbreaks, not because of African swine fever,” Bunyagith said, adding that PRRS and classical swine fever were the most common diseases in Thai pigs, with vaccines available for both. .
“But whether PRRS or PSA, there will be losses for small producers without a good agricultural management system.”
As small farms struggle, shares in Thailand's biggest food producer, Charoen Pokphand Foods Pcl (CPF.BK), jumped to their highest level in nearly seven months in January, and shares in peer Thaifoods Group Pcl (TFG.BK) ) reached their highest level since April.
The further reduction in small farms' market share threatens long-term implications for food prices, said Kevalin Wangpichayasuk of the Kasikorn Research Center.
“The gradual disappearance of small producers means fewer players and less competition, which will have an impact on the price,” Kevalin told Reuters.
Bunyagith said raising new animals to fill the gap would take up to 10 months, so the government plans to offer smallholders loans and new piglets to help rebuild.
But farmers said they have lost faith in the government and doubt that pig farming can still provide a livelihood, at least until a vaccine is found.
Jamnian Iangjiam, 62, said he gave up pig farming after two attempts to start over with new piglets made them sick too.
“I’m in debt because I spent my last savings on raising new pigs and now I have nothing,” Jamnian said, his pens empty since May. "I finished."
($ 1 = 33.22 baht)
Clipping: Notícias Agrícolas | Source: Reuters
