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Malaysian consumers switch to budget-friendly alternatives

Consumers have chosen alternatives like beef, mutton, chicken or fish, which generally have more stable prices, a butcher said.

The Star

The Star

  

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Vendors wait for customers at the Chow Kit wet market in Kuala Lumpur on April 21, 2021. PHOTO: AFP

May 15, 2025

GEORGE TOWN – With pork pri­ces skyrocketing to their highest in two years, more people are turning to eating fish or chicken and even mutton and beef.

Housewife Allyssa Lim, 48, wants to ensure her family has a meat dish for dinner every day, as pork used to be a staple in their meals.

“Now that pork costs so much, we either eat less of it or opt for fish instead.

“Fish is not only fresh but also a healthier option,” she said.

Restaurant owner Jacob Quah, 38, said pork has now become a premium item on his menu as customers are choosing more bud­get-friendly alternatives like chicken and fish.

“I have to maintain a commitment to my local pork supplier, but with the rising costs, I have no choice but to raise the prices of my pork dishes.

“To offer more affordable opt­i­ons, we’ve expanded our menu to include more fish and chicken dishes, as well as mutton and beef choices that customers have res­pon­ded to positively,” he said.

Pang, a butcher in Jalan Burma, said many in the trade have inc­rea­sed their stock of imported pork.

“Imported pork, such as that from Spain, is about RM30 per kg, while local pork now goes for around RM40 per kg.

“About 60% of our stock is now imported, and most of it is supplied to restaurants.

“Some customers have also tur­n­ed away from pork altogether.

“They have chosen alternatives like beef, mutton, chicken or fish, which generally have more stable prices,” remarked the 55-year-old during a recent meeting.

Checks at several markets found that popular cuts, such as pork belly, spare ribs and lean meat from local suppliers, are now priced between RM36 and RM46 per kg.

The same parts from imported sources are priced between RM33 and RM39 per kg.

Another butcher, Fiona Ng, 32, also increased her stock of impor­ted pork.

“In the past, imported pork was less preferred because customers valued the freshness of the local variety. But the price of local pork has increased three times since the beginning of this year.

“Currently, a whole pig from local farms is priced at RM1,780 per 100kg, compared to RM1,600 per 100kg just last year.

“This steep increase has cost us about 20% of our customers,” she said.

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