KUALA LANGAT, May 24 — Rising feed prices, transportation charges, and imported supply costs are putting increasing pressure on local cattle breeders, with Hari Raya Aidiladha sacrificial sales declining by nearly 30 per cent this year.
Cattle breeder Mohd Zairi Sallehuddin, 49, said the situation has been worsened by ongoing global conflicts, which continue to affect operational costs and supply chains, as well as increased competition from new breeders, particularly in Kampung Olak Lempit.
Many new breeders have adopted more aggressive promotional strategies to attract existing customers, but he has chosen not to do so out of concern for potential financial losses.
“Sales have indeed dropped significantly. Last year, I managed to sell nearly 200 cows, but this year, even reaching 100 is quite difficult due to the current economic situation and rising costs affecting both buyers and breeders.
“In addition, the increase in livestock feed costs, cattle rope, and delivery charges has also become a challenge because all the costs have to be absorbed into the selling price as most buyers do not like additional charges,” Zairi told Media Selangor recently.
He added that livestock feed prices have surged sharply, with palm waste increasing from RM40 to RM80 per tonne following higher diesel prices, while feed rose from RM45 to RM62 per 50-kilogram bag. Other costs, including cattle rope and transportation, have also gone up.
Breeders are now forced to seek cheaper alternatives, such as using palm oil waste and planting their own napier grass for livestock feed, to reduce rising operational expenses.
Zairi said that most cattle stocks are sourced from Thailand, as local supply remains insufficient to meet Aidiladha demand, leaving the industry dependent on imports.
Cattle imported from Thailand are usually close to two years old before being raised locally for another seven to eight months, including undergoing treatment and close care, prior to being sold for korban purposes.
