Pig prices increase, farmers still do not dare to restock

Pig prices are high, as small farmers still do not dare to increase their herds.

Sharing with Lao Dong, Mr. Nguyen Hanh - a pig farmer in Phuc Lam commune, My Duc district, Hanoi said: Since last year, he has reduced his pig herd by about 30%. His goal is to reduce the total herd by about 50% by the end of this year.

“I have now reduced the number of sows by 100, leaving 180 pigs. The herd of pigs for meat is 1,500. My plan is to gradually reduce each farm and stop raising them by 2025,” said Mr. Hanh.

Mr. Hanh (My Duc, Hanoi) has reduced his pig herd, leaving many pig pens empty. Photo: Vu Long

Mr. Ha Ngoc Thi (Cho Song hamlet, Truc Ninh, Nam Dinh) also said that he stopped raising pigs because after several rounds of increasing the herd, not only did it not bring profit, but he also suffered losses.

“The price of live pigs in Nam Dinh is at 60,000 VND/kg, but farmers are not making a profit. Although currently, farmers earn about 700,000 VND per pig sold, the profit from pig farming cannot only be calculated based on the pigs in the pen that will be sold at 60,000 VND/kg, but also the pigs that have died from the disease. If just a few pigs die, it means losing profit,” said Mr. Ha Ngoc Thi.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong (Hamlet 6 Van Thanh, Yen Thanh, Nghe An) also said that she has completely stopped raising pigs and switched to growing herbs for sale, despite the erratic weather, increased fertilizer costs, and insignificant profits.

“Growing herbs for sale requires low capital and low profit, mainly labor, but it is still less unstable than raising pigs. Last year, my herd of 10 pigs died from an epidemic, I lost nearly 100 million, all my capital was gone so I didn’t dare to raise them anymore” – Ms. Hong did not hide it.

A survey by Lao Dong shows that the price of live pigs has increased continuously in recent days. Currently, in addition to 12 Central provinces with a price of 59,000 VND/kg, the remaining provinces across the country have adjusted the price of live pigs to 60,000-62,000 VND/kg, of which Thai Nguyen and Bac Giang provinces have the highest price of live pigs: 62,000 VND/kg.

Pig price on March 22, 2024. Source: Anova Feed

With the above prices, farmers can make a profit of 700,000-800,000 VND/pig sold. However, farmers currently do not dare to increase their herds to catch the "wave" of pig prices because they are afraid of disease.

Monitor and prevent the disease from becoming complicated

According to the Department of Animal Health (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - NNPTNT), African swine fever has been well controlled. As of March 22, the country had 35 outbreaks of African swine fever that had not passed 21 days. The outbreaks were scattered in 28 districts of 19 provinces and cities.

Up to now, the number of pigs infected with the disease is 1,234, the number of pigs dead and destroyed is 1,189.

“During the day (March 22-PV), there were 3 new outbreaks reported in Nghe An province; the number of sick, dead and destroyed pigs was 79” – the report of the Department of Animal Health stated.

Regarding foot-and-mouth disease, there are currently 6 outbreaks nationwide that have not passed 21 days, in the provinces of Dien Bien, Quang Ngai, Kon Tum and Gia Lai; the number of infected cattle is 136...

Regarding information on livestock and poultry diseases, Director of the Department of Animal Health Nguyen Van Long said: The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is resolutely implementing national programs and plans to prevent and control dangerous livestock and poultry diseases and actively monitoring the circulation and changes of avian influenza viruses in live poultry markets and smuggled poultry; monitoring rabies; monitoring African swine fever virus, foot-and-mouth disease, etc.

“In particular, the veterinary system is stepping up monitoring and updating reports on terrestrial animal disease situations nationwide, especially dangerous diseases such as avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever, lumpy skin disease, blue ear disease, rabies, etc. on the Animal Disease Information Management System (VAHIS),” said Mr. Long.

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