Quite stable during the Lunar New Year, but after Tet, the price of live pigs increased sharply, currently at 73,000 - 75,000 VND/kg, the highest level since 2023.
Information for Electronic Newspaper reporters VTC News, Mr. Nguyen The Chinh - Head of the management board of the Ha Nam livestock and poultry wholesale market - said that on the morning of February 10, the price of live pigs at the wholesale market was traded at 74,000 VND/kg.
“The price of pigs has increased very high in the days after Tet, at times reaching 75,000 VND/kg, compared to 67,000 - 68,000 VND/kg before Tet. Meanwhile, the number of pigs coming to the market is very small, so as soon as pigs arrive, traders buy them all. Since Tet, on average, each day the wholesale market has only had a few trucks carrying pigs for sale, the quantity is about 400 - 500 pigs, equivalent to about 50 - 60 tons, only 1/10 compared to the time before Tet and 1/5 compared to other normal days,” Mr. Chinh said.
Regarding the reason for the sudden increase in pork prices after Tet, Mr. Chinh said that the total pig herd in the country decreased sharply due to the impact of foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever in October and November 2024, and after supplying a large output to the market during Tet.
“ Normally, after Tet, live pigs are transported from the South to the North for sale, but this year, traders from the South are going to the North to buy. In addition, pigs weighing more than 100kg are also very scarce, only pigs weighing 100kg or less are available, so the already-short supply is even more inadequate ,” Mr. Chinh informed.
However, Mr. Chinh said that this price will not last long, because consumption demand will decrease after the opening of the festivals at the beginning of the year, while the total pig herd still basically meets demand and farmers are also actively restocking.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Kim Doan, Vice President of Dong Nai Livestock Association, also said that the increase in live pig prices was due to the African swine fever epidemic at the end of 2024 affecting the pig herd. Along with that, the high demand for Tet also contributed to the shortage after Tet.
“Normally after Tet, consumption demand decreases, so the price of live pigs will decrease, but this year the price has increased. Currently, local traders are purchasing at 72,000 - 73,000 VND/kg. The reason is low supply,” Mr. Doan said.
Mr. Doan also said that currently the Southern region is lacking pigs due to high demand, as the total pig herd in the region has decreased due to the impact of disease and increased consumption during Tet.
“The epidemic has forced farms and livestock businesses to sell early to avoid being affected and spreading the disease. Therefore, pigs sold early, their weight and quantity have decreased, affecting the supply in the market. At Tan Xuan wholesale market (Hoc Mon) and Binh Dien (District 8), normally about 7,000 pigs are consumed each day, but now the number of pigs has decreased to about 3,000 - 3,500 pigs,” Mr. Doan added.
No need to worry about pork shortage
However, Mr. Doan said that although the current pig output has decreased compared to the same period in 2024 and previous years, it is not expected to last long.
“When pig prices are good, farmers, especially farms and businesses, will quickly increase their sow herds, the rate of herd restoration is high, so the pig herd will recover in the coming time. Along with that, disease prevention measures to keep the pig herd safe are also being actively implemented by businesses and farms,” Mr. Doan commented.
Agreeing, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Duong, Chairman of the Vietnam Livestock Association, said: “ The price of live pigs increased because the demand for pork after Tet is still high because festivals and tourist areas are recovering, the number of visitors going sightseeing and relaxing after Tet is still high. This is understandable, not too unusual, but the possibility of a pork shortage is unlikely. According to forecasts, by March, pork prices will return to normal .”
Similarly, Mr. Duong Tat Thang, Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) said that the price of live pigs is higher than before Tet but is still within the rules of the market.
“The reason for the increase in pork prices is due to the high demand for tourism and festivals at the beginning of the year, while pork consumption during Tet also increased by more than 20%, leading to a decrease in the total herd. However, the current high pork price will be difficult to maintain for long because the total domestic pig herd is still basically meeting domestic demand with more than 30 million pigs,” Mr. Thang affirmed.
Source
Comment (0)