Pig prices increased dramatically

Pig prices across the country increased sharply this week, especially in the South, reaching VND80,000 per kilogram, up 40% over the same period last year.

According to livestock associations, the price of live pigs in Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Ben Tre, and Tra Vinh increased by VND1,000-2,000 per kilogram to VND79,000, an increase of 11% in the past two weeks and 40% compared to the same period last year. In Dong Nai, traders are looking to buy live pigs at VND80,000 per kilogram, but supply is limited.

In the North, pork prices fluctuated between 72,000 and 74,000 VND per kilogram, with prices in Hanoi, Bac Giang, Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Thai Binh reaching the highest levels. In the Central Highlands region, live pig prices also skyrocketed to 72,000 and 78,000 VND per kilogram.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai's pig farm. Photo: Thi Ha

Hoc Mon wholesale market said the number of pigs imported on the night of February 26 reached more than 4,200, but still decreased by about 2,000 pigs compared to before Tet. The price of CP company's pigs reached 74,500 VND per kilogram for grade 1, while pigs from farmers were sold at a fluctuating price of 70,000-80,000 VND.

The escalation in live pig prices has caused the price of butchered pork at wholesale markets to increase by VND5,000-10,000 per kilogram compared to last week, causing baby back ribs to rise to VND160,000 per kilogram and pork belly to VND125,000 per kilogram.

According to Mr. Nguyen Kim Doan - Vice President of Dong Nai Livestock Association, the rapid increase in pork prices is mainly due to the decrease in supply. In Dong Nai alone, more than 305 farms had to relocate to the Central Highlands, causing a shortage of supply in this area. African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease and diarrhea outbreaks since early 2024 have further pushed supply to a 5-year low. The market outlook remains unpredictable, if authorities allow the import of live pigs from abroad, it could further disrupt supply and demand.

Long An Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said farms and households have begun to restock after Tet, but unstable weather conditions could increase the risk of disease.

Ms. Le Thi Mai Khanh - Head of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries of Long An - recommends that people apply biosafety in animal husbandry, proactively vaccinate and strengthen surveillance to limit the risk of disease outbreaks.

According to the forecast of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), pork consumption in Vietnam in 2025 could reach 4 million tons, up 3.3% compared to the previous year. However, the fact that the epidemic has not been fully controlled and the high cost of herd restoration could create many challenges for domestic supply.

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