Feed prices soar ··· pig farmers in Korea on the brink 번 농가는 최근 돼지 사료 가격의 급등으로 인해 큰 어려움을 겪고 있다. 돼지 사료 가격은 지난해 대비 약 40% 상승했으며, 이로 인해 농가의 생산비용이 크게 증가했다. 농가들은 높은 사료 비용으로 인해 수익성이 크게 떨어지고 있으며, 일부 농가는 이미 손실을 보고 있다. 정부는 돼지 사료 가격 상승에 대응하기 위해 다양한 지원 정책을 마련하고 있지만, 농가들은 아직 실질적인 도움을 받지 못하고 있다. Pig farmers are currently facing significant difficulties due to the recent sharp increase in pig feed prices. Pig feed prices have risen by approximately 40% compared to last year, leading to a significant increase in production costs for farmers. Due to the high feed costs, the profitability of the farms is greatly reduced, and some farms are already incurring losses. The government is preparing various support policies to respond to the rising pig feed prices, but farmers have not yet received any real help.

Following the outbreak of war between the United States and Iran, the Strait of Hormuz was closed, leading to a surge in exchange rates and oil prices, while feed prices for pig farms have also risen sharply, making it expected that deficit management will be prolonged. A representative, A, who raises pigs in Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province, is facing growing uncertainty in farm management. Since the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) at the end of last year, he has spent over four months focusing on disease prevention, and now, with the situation entering a lull, the outbreak of war between the United States and Iran has caused a sharp increase in production costs, leading to continued deficit management. Among the rising production costs, A feels the most impact from the "feed price." Already, feed companies raised the price by 20 won per kg from March 1, and there are predictions that feed prices will continue to rise throughout this year. Representative A explained, "Currently, the production cost exceeds 5,300 won per kg, while the wholesale price of pigs is in the 5,200 won range, so farms are operating at a loss. In this situation, the government continues to try to lower pork prices, and feed companies are trying to raise feed prices, making it difficult to manage." In the feed industry, feed prices have risen by more than 60 to 70 won in the first half of the year, and it is expected that price increases will continue in the second half. Last year, the average feed price (average price at compound feed factories) was 726 won per kg, while the average dollar exchange rate was around 1,200 won, but now it is around 1,500 won, creating a price gap and uncertainty, which means there is a possibility of further exchange rate increases. Additionally, the rise in oil prices and transportation costs due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are expected to fuel the rise in feed prices. An industry insider said, "With the rise in exchange rates and oil prices, sea transportation costs have more than doubled, contributing to the rise in feed prices. The raw materials for compound feed, such as grains, have a three-month lag in price due to futures trading, so even if the war stops immediately, the rise in feed prices is expected to continue until the second half of this year."