Every year, some seven million hogs are slaughtered in Taiwan, but at the same time, about four million hog hides are imported. If more hides could be produced locally, a large amount of foreign exchange could be saved.
During the current economic recession, Taiwan's leather industry continued to grow, and with it, demand for pigskin. With its soft texture and smooth appearance, pigskin is ideal for the production of handbags, shoes and apparel, and is deservedly becoming more popular on world markets.
Recently, rising wages in the Republic of China have made it uneconomical to produce low-end plastic leather products. But the same equipment can be used to make higher quality pigskin goods.
Statistics show, however, that of the seven million pigs slaughtered last year, only 10 percent had their hides removed for the leather industry. As a result, some US$12 million had to be spent on imports, mainly from Japan. The situation is made all the more ironic because the imported hides are of lower quality because they are frozen during transit. Thus, if local hides are used, money can be saved and standards boosted. Recently, therefore, the government decided to do something about this wasteful anomaly.
The first attempt to produce pigskin locally was made in 1972, but results since then have not been satisfactory. One reason is that hides of pigs slaughtered in Taiwan are stamped in indelible ink to show that tax has been paid. If the pig is skinned first, tax payment cannot be verified. A second reason is that pigs are scalded after slaughter, which spoils the leather texture. Tanners require the raw hide complete with fat. They would also prefer that pigs be slaughtered electrically, but unfortunately, consumers dislike pork produced in this way.
Still another reason is price, since pork sold with the skin brings a higher return. Hides would have to be sold for NT$400 (US$10) each to compensate for losses in meat revenue. This compares with a cost of US$3 for the Japanese hides, and US$5 even when taxes and other expenses are added.
The preference for eating pork with the skin is deeply ingrained in Taiwan, since it is at least partly based on tradition. It would be considered an affront to offer a skinned pig to a city god.
The authorities are considering ways to overcome all these problems. To eliminate the need to stamp the hides, it was suggested that the stamp be placed on the outside of packages of pork after they have been graded and prepared for the consumer. There were even some who advocated scrapping the tax altogether, pointing out that no tax is charged on ducks and chickens. Historically, however, pork has always been considered a luxury compared with poultry. Not surprisingly people are asking whether this argument is valid in the modern age.
On May 28 this year, therefore, the Ministry of Finance called a meeting at which it was decided to end the practice of stamping the hides. This represented a big concession by the financial authorities, and brought new hope to the tanning industry.
The tanners have now turned their attention to the next big problem -- methods of slaughtering. The government has been promoting electrical methods for 10 years, but so far there are only 30 slaughterhouses using the system compared with 700 using older methods. The Taiwan Department of Agriculture and Forestry has decided to carry out the electric slaughtering program in three stages beginning next June. One of the first items on the agenda will be to launch a publicity campaign to persuade people that meat from hogs slaughtered electrically tastes as good as that from animals killed in the traditional way. But the consumers will probably have the final say.
A specialist with the Taiwan Sugar Corporation's hog farm pointed out that although skinned carcasses are more prone to staining, this can be avoided if they are properly packed.
In the end, price is likely to prove the biggest obstacle. Unless butchers can be persuaded to reduce their prices to US$5 per hide, imports from Japan will still be cheaper. Until all the problems can be solved, it is likely that imports will continue. Because of the high added-value of pigskin products, Taiwan earns far more foreign exchange on exports than it spends on imports.
[Picture Caption]
1) Pigskins are dried and stretched in ovens. 2) Skins are cut in two by machine.
1) Skins are hung outdoors to dry. 2) After passing through this electronic measuring machine, hides are fully processed. 3) Because chemicals are used in processing hides, waste water is treated and purified to eliminate any health hazards. 4) Li Hsin Hide Company Vice Chairman, Chang Ho-ru, feels the NT$400 cost per hide is too high. 5) Minister of Agriculture, Chiou Mao-ying, explained that the Department of Agriculture has decided it will no longer stamp hog carcasses. 6) Fifth Undersecretary of Agriculture, Chuang Ming-cheng, is responsible for implementation of this new policy. 7) Tanners say stamping hog carcasses is detrimental to the nation's economy and should be halted as soon as possible.
1&2) Pigskin can be used to make everything from shoes and purses to clothing. Pigskin is popular with consumers and in fact is very much in style this year in Europe and America.
Skins are cut in two by machine.
Skins are hung outdoors to dry.
After passing through this electronic measuring machine, hides are fully processed.
Because chemicals are used in processing hides, waste water is treated and purified to eliminate any health hazards.
Li Hsin Hide Company Vice Chairman, Chang Ho-ru, feels the NT$400 cost per hide is too high.
Minister of Agriculture, Chiou Mao-ying, explained that the Department of Agriculture has decided it will no longer stamp hog carcasses.
Fifth Undersecretary of Agriculture, Chuang Ming-cheng, is responsible for implementation of this new policy.
Tanners say stamping hog carcasses is detrimental to the nation's economy and should be halted as soon as possible.
Pigskin can be used to make everything from shoes and purses to clothing. Pigskin is popular with consumers and in fact is very much in style this year in Europe and America.
Pigskin can be used to make everything from shoes and purses to clothing. Pigskin is popular with consumers and in fact is very much in style this year in Europe and America.
