KARMA CHOGYAL YOEZER | Thimphu
Piggery farmers across the country are facing one of their toughest periods in recent years, with many struggling to recover costs as pork prices fall, demand weakens, feed expenses rise, and recurring disease outbreaks continue to affect production.
While pig farming has become an important source of livelihood in many southern and eastern districts, farmers say the business is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.
The issue has now drawn national attention, with a committee formed to assess the crisis and recommend ways to support struggling farmers.
During the recent National Assembly session, Sergithang–Tsirang Toed MP, Lhakpa Tshering Tamang, raised concerns about the worsening conditions faced by piggery farmers, especially those who borrowed money to invest in farms and are now burdened with debts while being unable to sell their produce.
The MP said many farmers invested in piggery with hopes of stable returns, often taking loans to construct sheds, purchase pigs, and buy feed. However, changing market conditions have left many unable to earn enough to meet their financial obligations.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, he shared the case of farmers in Semjong Gewog under Tsirang.
“In Semjong gewog alone, there are 192 metric tonnes of unsold pork,” he said during the Assembly proceedings. “One farmer bought feed worth Nu 8.2 million on credit. He says that even if he sells his house and land, he will not be able to repay the amount. He has over 500 pigs, but the issue is that he is not able to sell the meat.”
The statement reflects the growing frustration among piggery farmers, many of whom are now worried about loan repayments, increasing feed expenses, and the uncertainty of market recovery.
Pork, which remains one of the most consumed meats in the country, has seen a significant drop in prices in recent months. According to recent reports, pork prices in Thimphu have fallen sharply from around Nu 650 per kilogram to about Nu 400 per kilogram due to surplus production and slowing market demand.
For farmers, the price drop has created serious financial pressure.
Although lower prices may benefit consumers in the short term, farmers say they are unable to recover production costs. Feed prices continue to remain high, transportation expenses have increased, and veterinary care has become more important as disease outbreaks repeatedly threaten farms.
Apart from market issues, farmers are also battling recurring outbreaks of African Swine Fever, a highly contagious viral disease that affects pigs and has caused repeated disruptions to piggery farming in Bhutan.
The latest outbreak was reported on May 11, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already struggling sector.
Disease outbreaks not only result in the loss of animals but also reduce consumer confidence, interrupt supply chains, and discourage farmers from expanding production. For many small-scale piggery farmers, repeated outbreaks have become emotionally and financially exhausting.
However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has clarified that the decline in the pork market is not solely due to excess production.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister, Younten Phuntsho, told the National Assembly that several other issues are contributing to the current crisis.
According to the minister, one factor is meat hoarding at production sites, where some producers keep pork in anticipation of better market prices rather than releasing it immediately. He said high retail prices and poor distribution systems are also affecting the sector.
“The fall in the pork market is not entirely due to high production,” Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho said. “Meat hoarding at the source in anticipation of higher prices, high retail prices, and limited access in remote areas due to distribution challenges are other contributing factors.”
He explained that while farmers in some areas struggle to sell pork due to oversupply, some consumers in remote regions continue to have limited access because transportation and market linkages remain weak.
This mismatch between supply and access has become one of the major challenges for the sector.
To better understand the issue and recommend interventions, the ministry has formed a national-level committee comprising relevant agencies, including financial institutions and the Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.
The committee is expected to assess market trends, pricing concerns, supply chain gaps, and financing challenges faced by farmers.
According to Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho, some interventions have already begun.
“Within a week following the committee’s formation, we assisted in creating market opportunities for piggery farmers,” he said. “For instance, the Bhutan Livestock Development Corporation Limited helped farmers sell over 85 metric tonnes of pork, which is worth more than Nu 33 million. We are working to help the farmers.”
The minister said such interventions are aimed at providing immediate relief while broader strategies are being explored to stabilize the sector.
The government is also encouraging piggery farmers to look beyond raw pork sales and explore product diversification and value addition.
For example, processed meat products, packaging improvements, and diversified pork-based products could help farmers reach new markets and reduce dependence on fresh pork sales alone.
Minister also pointed out that Bhutan’s growing meat import bill as a sign that there are still opportunities within the livestock sector.
“If we look at the import data, meat-related imports amount to about Nu 4 billion,” he said. “So, there are opportunities to diversify production and add value.”
The statement suggests that domestic farmers could potentially capture a larger share of the local market if production, processing, and distribution systems improve.
Piggery farming in Bhutan is largely concentrated in six southern and eastern dzongkhags—Chhukha, Dagana, Tsirang, Samtse, Sarpang and Samdrup Jongkhar—where climatic conditions and access to feed make pig farming more viable.
For many households in these regions, piggery farming is more than just a business. It is an important source of income that supports families, pays for education, and helps households manage daily expenses.
As per the Integrated Agriculture and Livestock Survey 2025, Bhutan produced over 2,400 metric tonnes of pork, reflecting steady growth in domestic production.
Yet despite increased production, many farmers say success means little if they cannot sell their products at reasonable prices.
Some fear that if the current situation continues, farmers may gradually abandon piggery farming altogether, especially those already burdened with debt.
For now, farmers are hoping that government interventions, better market access, and stronger disease management systems will provide relief.
But until stable prices return and reliable market opportunities improve, many piggery farmers remain caught between rising costs and shrinking returns, uncertain about how long they can continue to sustain their livelihoods.
