TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Charoen Pokphand Enterprise Co. Chair Cheng Wu-yueh (鄭武樾) said the company’s strengthened food processing operations last year are set to drive record profits and performance this year.

At an investor meeting on Monday, the company reported revenue of NT$20.85 billion (US$667 million) and net profit of NT$2.34 billion for the first three quarters of this year, representing an 85.8% year-on-year increase, per CNA.

Cheng said the company relies heavily on imports, and recent exchange rate movements and higher freight costs have had a significant impact. Freight costs rose from NT$170 to over NT$200 per ton. Combined with rising corn and soybean prices, the company has adjusted feed prices to maintain stable profits.

The company said its chicken imports increased from last year, while prices for chickens sold to the market have remained between NT$32 and NT$33 per catty. However, profit margins from selling whole chickens have declined in recent years. In response, the company plans to increase sales of processed chicken products to boost profits.

The company noted the number of pigs slaughtered in Taiwan has been declining, mainly because conditions such as blue ear disease and piglet diarrhea have not been controlled. In October, an outbreak of African swine fever at a pig farm in Taichung resulted in a 15-day ban on pig slaughter. Together, these factors have affected pork supply and driven prices higher.

The government will impose a full ban on feeding pigs with food waste starting in 2027 as part of efforts to prevent African swine fever. Cheng said raising pigs with commercial feed is safer and urged the government to also promote proper food waste disposal measures.

Cheng added the company adopted water-curtain pig housing six years ago and strengthened access controls to better protect pig health. This type of housing uses flowing water to cool barns and improve ventilation, helping to reduce disease risks for pigs.