In Malaysia, the cost of pork has reached a two-year high, forcing households and businesses to rethink their menus. From bustling wet markets in Kuala Lumpur to local butcheries in Penang, the price surge—driven by disease outbreaks and supply chain disruptions—has pushed many to opt for more affordable proteins like fish, chicken, mutton, and beef. This shift is reshaping dietary habits and challenging the pork industry, a staple in non-Muslim communities across the country.
Rising Costs Hit Households and Restaurants
At markets across Malaysia, the numbers tell a stark story. Popular cuts such as pork belly, spare ribs, and lean meat from local suppliers are now priced between RM36 and RM46 per kilogram (US$8-US$10), while imported varieties range from RM33 to RM39 per kilogram (US$7-US$9). Just last year, a whole pig from local farms cost around RM1,600 per 100 kilograms (US$350), but that figure has jumped to RM1,780 (US$390) in 2025, reflecting a steep increase that has left both vendors and customers reeling. 
For households like that of Allyssa Lim, a 48-year-old housewife from George Town, the impact is immediate. Pork, once a daily staple in her family’s meals, has become a luxury. “Now that pork costs so much, we either eat less of it or opt for fish instead” she said. “Fish is not only fresh but also a healthier option.” Her sentiment echoes a broader trend among Malaysian consumers, particularly in urban centers like Kuala Lumpur and Penang, where wet markets such as Chow Kit have seen a noticeable shift in purchasing patterns.
Restaurants are feeling the pinch too. Jacob Quah, a 38-year-old restaurant owner in Penang, has had to reframe pork as a premium item on his menu. “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” he said. To balance customer demand for affordability, Quah has expanded his offerings with fish, chicken, mutton, and beef options, which he notes have been well-received. “Customers are choosing more budget-friendly alternatives, and we’ve adapted to meet that need” he added.
Disease and Supply Issues Fuel the Crisis
The root of the price surge lies in a combination of disease outbreaks and supply chain challenges affecting Malaysia’s pork industry. African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly contagious viral disease, has decimated pig populations across parts of Southeast Asia in recent years, including in Malaysia. While the government and local farmers have worked to contain outbreaks, the loss of livestock has tightened supply, driving up costs for local pork. The reliance on imports to fill the gap has further complicated the situation, as global supply chains remain strained by logistical delays and fluctuating demand.
Butchers like Pang, a 55-year-old vendor on Jalan Burma in George Town, have turned to imported pork to keep their businesses viable. “Imported pork, such as that from Spain, is about RM30 per kg, while local pork now goes for around RM40 per kg” he said. Pang estimates that 60% of his stock is now imported, much of it supplied to restaurants. However, even this workaround has its limits. “Some customers have turned away from pork altogether” he noted. “They have chosen alternatives like beef, mutton, chicken, or fish, which generally have more stable prices.”
Fiona Ng, a 32-year-old butcher, shares similar concerns. She recalls a time when customers prized the freshness of local pork over imported options. But with local prices increasing three times since the start of 2025, preferences have shifted. “This steep increase has cost us about 20% of our customers” she said. For Ng and others in the trade, stocking more imported pork has become a necessary compromise, even if it means sacrificing the reputation for freshness that local suppliers once held.
Broader Economic and Cultural Impacts
The pork price crisis is unfolding against a backdrop of broader food inflation in Malaysia, where the cost of living has become a pressing concern for many. According to data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia, food prices overall have risen by more than 5% in the past year, with proteins like pork leading the charge. For non-Muslim communities, particularly the Chinese-Malaysian population, pork holds significant cultural and culinary importance, often featured in traditional dishes during festivals and family gatherings. The current price surge thus carries not just economic but also social weight, as families adjust long-standing dietary norms.
Economists point to a combination of factors exacerbating the situation. Beyond ASF, rising feed costs—driven by global commodity price hikes for corn and soy—have increased the expense of raising pigs locally. At the same time, Malaysia’s reliance on pork imports, which account for a growing share of the market, exposes the country to currency fluctuations. With the Malaysian Ringgit facing volatility against the US dollar, imported pork prices are subject to sudden spikes, adding another layer of uncertainty for vendors and consumers alike.
Government responses to the crisis have so far focused on monitoring disease outbreaks and supporting local farmers through subsidies for biosecurity measures. However, these efforts have yet to translate into meaningful price relief at the market level. Some industry observers have called for greater investment in domestic pork production and diversification of import sources to stabilize supply. Others argue that public campaigns promoting alternative proteins could help ease demand pressures on pork, encouraging a long-term shift in consumption patterns.
Consumer Adaptation and Market Shifts
As prices continue to climb, adaptation has become the name of the game for Malaysian consumers and businesses. At wet markets from Kuala Lumpur’s Chow Kit to George Town’s smaller stalls, vendors report a noticeable uptick in sales of fish and chicken, both of which offer comparable nutritional value at a lower cost. Mutton and beef, while traditionally less popular in some communities due to price or cultural preferences, are also gaining traction as viable substitutes.
This shift is not without its challenges. For vendors like Pang and Ng, diversifying stock to include more imported pork or alternative meats requires navigating complex supply chains and customer expectations. Restaurants, meanwhile, must balance profitability with affordability, often at the expense of traditional menu offerings. For households, the transition to fish or chicken may offer health benefits—fish, in particular, is lauded for its omega-3 content—but it also means reimagining recipes and meal planning, a process that can feel disruptive to long-held routines.
Public sentiment, as reflected in conversations at markets and on social media platforms like X, reveals a mix of frustration and pragmatism. Many Malaysians express dismay at the erosion of purchasing power, with some linking the pork price surge to broader economic woes. Others, however, see an opportunity to explore new culinary horizons, sharing recipes for fish-based dishes or poultry marinades as a way to cope with the changing market realities.
Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Solution?
As Malaysia grapples with the fallout of skyrocketing pork prices, questions remain about the sustainability of current consumption patterns and the resilience of the local pork industry. Will government interventions and industry adaptations be enough to stabilize prices, or are consumers facing a permanent shift in the cost and availability of this once-affordable protein? For now, the turn to fish, chicken, mutton, and beef offers a practical workaround, but it also underscores the fragility of food supply chains in an era of global disruptions.
In the markets of Kuala Lumpur and George Town, vendors and shoppers alike are navigating this new normal with a blend of resilience and uncertainty. The hope is for a future where cultural staples like pork can reclaim their place on the table without breaking the bank—a goal that may require innovation, policy support, and a willingness to embrace change.
