Demand for crocodile meat has surged in Thailand as pork prices continue to rise.Pork shortage due to spread of African swine fever in country, broadcaster Thailand BPS Yosapong Temsiripong, chairman of the Thai Crocodile Breeders Association, was quoted as saying in a recent report.
Thailand has been facing a pork shortage since the second quarter of 2021, as at least 159,000 farmed pigs had to be culled between March and October last year. This has led to a sharp rise in pork prices and has led Thais to turn to crocodile meat, which is more affordable due to the export ban imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pork is three times more expensive than crocodile meat
Pork, a staple in Thailand, currently sells for about 250 baht ($7.60) a kilogram, more than three times the price of crocodile meat, which remains low despite surging demand.
That said, crocodile farmers in Thailand are currently taking advantage of the surge in demand for pork substitutes. With the significant increase in demand for meat, the number of crocodiles slaughtered each month has nearly doubled to 20,000, with large retailers’ Orders also increased, which helped crocodile farmers affected by the pandemic.
But farmers are realizing that this strong business is unlikely to continue due to the Thai preference for pork dishes, despite the meat’s lower nutritional value, lower fat content and higher protein content.
popular food in many regions
Still, while crocodile meat may not satisfy anyone’s taste, it has long been part of the menu not only in Southeast Asia, but also in the southern United States, Central America, Africa and Australia.
Nutritionists claim that crocodile meat has so many health benefits that it has even been called a “superfood.” It is thought to aid weight loss because alligator meat has more lean muscle tissue and is higher in low saturated fat, making it a good substitute for beef, lamb, and pork for dieters.
High calcium and protein content
Crocodile meat also contains high levels of protein — higher than in chicken — which is essential for muscle building and repair. It also contains higher levels of calcium than beef, which helps prevent bone loss.
In traditional Chinese medicine, crocodile meat is mixed with herbs such as ginseng to treat asthma and other respiratory ailments. Due to its high protein content, this meat is also believed to delay the onset of aging and skin wrinkles, which is why it is the meat of choice for many elderly people in China.
Demand for crocodile meat has surged in Thailand as pork prices continue to rise. Thailand’s BPS broadcaster quoted Yosapong Temsiripong, chairman of the Thai Crocodile Breeders Association, as saying in a recent report that the reason was a shortage of pork supplies due to the spread of African swine fever in the country. Thailand has been facing a pork shortage since the second quarter of 2021, as at least 159,000 farmed pigs had to be culled between March and October last year. This has led to a sharp rise in pork prices and has caused Thais to turn to…
Demand for crocodile meat has surged in Thailand as pork prices continue to rise.Pork shortage due to spread of African swine fever in country, broadcaster Thailand BPS Yosapong Temsiripong, chairman of the Thai Crocodile Breeders Association, was quoted as saying in a recent report.
Thailand has been facing a pork shortage since the second quarter of 2021, as at least 159,000 farmed pigs had to be culled between March and October last year. This has led to a sharp rise in pork prices and has led Thais to turn to crocodile meat, which is more affordable due to the export ban imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pork is three times more expensive than crocodile meat
Pork, a staple in Thailand, currently sells for about 250 baht ($7.60) a kilogram, more than three times the price of crocodile meat, which remains low despite surging demand.
That said, crocodile farmers in Thailand are currently taking advantage of the surge in demand for pork substitutes. With the significant increase in demand for meat, the number of crocodiles slaughtered each month has nearly doubled to 20,000, with large retailers’ Orders also increased, which helped crocodile farmers affected by the pandemic.
But farmers are realizing that this strong business is unlikely to continue due to the Thai preference for pork dishes, despite the meat’s lower nutritional value, lower fat content and higher protein content.
popular food in many regions
Still, while crocodile meat may not satisfy anyone’s taste, it has long been part of the menu not only in Southeast Asia, but also in the southern United States, Central America, Africa and Australia.
Nutritionists claim that crocodile meat has so many health benefits that it has even been called a “superfood.” It is thought to aid weight loss because alligator meat has more lean muscle tissue and is higher in low saturated fat, making it a good substitute for beef, lamb, and pork for dieters.
High calcium and protein content
Crocodile meat also contains high levels of protein — higher than in chicken — which is essential for muscle building and repair. It also contains higher levels of calcium than beef, which helps prevent bone loss.
In traditional Chinese medicine, crocodile meat is mixed with herbs such as ginseng to treat asthma and other respiratory ailments. Due to its high protein content, this meat is also believed to delay the onset of aging and skin wrinkles, which is why it is the meat of choice for many elderly people in China.
