Why has the price of live pigs not increased as many people expected?

Pork pieces are imported to wholesale markets in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: N.TRI

According to information from many farmers in the Southern region, the selling price of live pigs on October 12 was commonly 63,000 - 66,000 VND/kg depending on the type, down 1,000 - 2,000 VND compared to the previous week and down 2,000 - 3,000 VND compared to the high price last month.

Similarly, the Central Highlands and the North also recorded live pig prices fluctuating between 62,000 and 66,000 VND/kg depending on the type and location. Meanwhile, in August and September, live pig prices in some places reached 68,000 VND/kg and many experts believe that they will continue to increase.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online , Mr. Nguyen Kim Doan, vice president of Dong Nai Livestock Association, said that some experts and farmers expect pork prices to gradually increase towards the end of the year because the supply of live pigs tends to decrease, while demand often increases in the final months.

However, along with the reduced supply, consumption demand is also low, leading to pork prices not increasing as expected at this time.

"Due to the impact of disease, storms and floods, and the limited supply of piglets, the supply of live pigs in many places may have decreased by 10-15% compared to the stable period. Meanwhile, demand is said to be decreasing by about 10-20%," said Mr. Doan.

Similarly, a representative of Vissan Company said that despite continuous promotions, purchasing power for pork products in recent times has not increased as expected, even at times decreasing by 20-25% compared to years when demand was stable.

Many retailers believe that consumers are still tightening their spending, so consumer demand in general and pork in particular is still at a low level for a long time, even the peak consumption season of Tet this year is less than every year.

Despite the downward trend, many farmers said that the price of live pigs has remained at a good level in recent years, especially higher than the same period last year by about 11,000 - 13,000 VND/kg.

"If the farming is productive and not much affected by disease, farmers can currently make a profit of around 5,000 VND/kg of live pigs sold. This profit level is stable and enough to stimulate herd restoration," said Mr. Doan.

Wholesale market appears many small pigs

According to information from Hoc Mon wholesale food market (HCMC), the amount of pigs imported into the market on October 11 was about 5,239 small pigs (slaughtered) - equivalent to 368 tons, including more than 451 small pigs and 4,788 large pigs.

Wholesale pork prices at the market are 77,000 - 84,000 VND/kg depending on the type. Pork cutlet: thigh 78,000 VND/kg, pork chop 76,000 VND/kg, ham 60,000 - 68,000 VND/kg, spare ribs 145,000 VND/kg...

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tai-sao-gia-heo-hoi-chua-tang-nhu-nhieu-nguoi-ky-vong-20241012181522328.htm