KUCHING — From 8 to 17 August 2025, the Government of Sarawak, via the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development (M-FICORD), embarked on a ten-day study mission to Denmark designed to assess modern pig farming technologies and identify investment opportunities.
Led by M-FICORD Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, the delegation toured key Danish agricultural institutions and companies, including Big Dutchmen, DanBred, the Danish Food and Veterinary Council, Techocollege, Danish Finest Chicken and Danish Crown in Horsens.
During the visit, the Sarawak delegation closely examined state-of-the-art slaughtering equipment, advanced robotic breeding systems, and disease prevention frameworks aimed at combating African Swine Fever (ASF) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
The group also explored technical training facilities at Techocollege and visited Danish Crown’s Horsens facility, noted as Europe’s most modern pig processing and slaughter plant, alongside halal chicken processors at Danish Finest Chicken.
Denmark’s reputation as a global leader in pig production is backed by robust data: as of April 2024, Denmark’s pig population rose to 11.45 million head—a 6.8% increase from the previous year. Approximately 90 percent of Danish pork output is exported to more than 140 countries, highlighting its pivotal role in the agricultural export sector.
For Sarawak, this initiative aligns with its objective of becoming a “net food exporter” by 2030. Previously, the state has exported 122,400 live pigs worth RM197.6 million to Singapore; with expanded production, export value is projected to surge to RM1 billion by 2030.
Prominent figures participating in the delegation included Deputy Minister Datuk Martin Ben; Datu Dr Adrian Susin, Director of Sarawak Veterinary Services; Dominic Chunggat, Sarawak Agriculture Director; Joseph Blandoi, SALCRA GM; Professor Dr Harry Entebang, SLDB GM; Professor Dr Shahrul Razid Sarbini, Director of UPM Sarawak; David Branch Ambor, Head of M-FICORD Policy; and Dr William Rovina Nating, Deputy Director of Veterinary Services.
Through firsthand exposure to Denmark’s highly integrated, tech-driven pig industry characterised by stringent animal welfare, biosecurity protocols, and cooperative processing models Sarawak aims to craft a sustainable, export-oriented pig farming blueprint backed by cutting-edge technology and disease readiness.
