June 18, 2026
PHNOM PENH – The president of the Cambodia Livestock Raisers Association (CLRA) has expressed his support for the authorities in two provinces that border Vietnam, for their recent efforts to supress illegal imports of live pigs, frozen meat, and chicken and duck eggs.
Speaking to The Post on June 17, CLRA president Srun Pov said that, as a stakeholder in Cambodia’s livestock sector, he was very pleased that the authorities in Svay Rieng and Prey Veng provinces had ordered officials to pay close attention to the issue.
He warned that illegal imports could have numerous negative consequences for the national economy, as well as for both human and animal health in Cambodia. Smuggling also results in lost tax revenue for the government, he noted.
“The issuance of directives on measures to prevent the illegal importation of live pigs, frozen meat, and chicken and duck eggs by the authorities of these two provinces is an effective measure to support and protect Cambodia’s livestock sector from several risks, such as the spread of animal diseases and market-related problems,” he said.
“It will also help ensure public health, safety and social well-being in Cambodia,” he added.
Last week, Svay Rieng provincial governor Peng Ponea and Prey Veng governor Suon Somalin instructed all police, border and agricultural unit and authorities to focus on measures that will prevent illegal imports.
“At present, Cambodia’s livestock sector has sufficient capacity to meet 100 per cent of domestic consumption demand, and meat quality can also be effectively controlled. If illegal imports continue, they will have a significant impact on local farmers and domestic companies,” noted Pov.
He explained that Cambodia’s daily demand for pork ranges from eight to nine thousand pigs. Currently, the average price of live pigs stands at around 12,000 riel ($3) per kilogramme.
Pov was optimistic that if the authorities in other border provinces also effectively curb illegal imports of live pigs, pig farming activities in Cambodia will expand significantly. This could eventually enable Cambodia to become an exporter. He noted that the country’s animal feed production capacity is also increasing rapidly.
“I hope that authorities in all border provinces will actively participate in preventing the illegal smuggling of live pigs and frozen meat from neighbouring countries,” he said.