Veleba: ČR loses self-sufficiency in pig breeding

By ČTK / Published 20 August 2008 Pardubice, Aug 19 (CTK) - The Czech Republic is losing self-sufficiency in pig breeding which means that pork imports will grow in the coming years, and this may have a negative impact on pork prices, Agricultural Chamber president Jan Veleba told CTK Tuesday. Pork producers now cover only 60 percent of domestic pork consumption and in a year or two, the share may drop to just 50 percent, he added. Pig stocks in the country decreased by 14 percent on the year which will have a large impact on grain producers as they will lack buyers. Processors will be affected as well, and employment will fall. "It will have an impact on consumers. When we lose competitiveness, the price will be completely different," Veleba said. The trend has lasted for over two years. The fall in pig stocks registered in... [read full story]