Senior Northern Agriculture officer Maikali Drauna said the demand for beef, goat and sheep was more popular than pork.

"We have a total of 13141 pigs in Vanua Levu but there is no market here and even the butchers don't sell pork except beef and goat," he said.

"There are various reasons like there are some butchers in Vanua Levu that are owned by Muslims and their religious beliefs prevent them from selling pork."

This, however, has not disheartened farmers, reports The Fiji Times Online.

Mr Drauna said they were encouraging farmers to continue to expand their piggeries to meet any future demand.

"There may be no market now but once we start commercial-based piggeries, there will be a demand because proper processing will be involved before pork is sold.

"The provinces of Cakaudrove, Bua and Macuata will each have a piggery and will be commercially-based ones.

"So if farmers continue to have their piggeries now and expand them, the supply to meet and increase in demand will be consistent."