Pork prices expected to rise further

In reality, pork prices in recent months increased by  二00 per cent compared with the middle of  二0 一 七. — Photo tintucvietnam.vn

HÀ NỘI — The price of pork in Việt Nam is set to keep rising over the next few months due to African swine fever devastating pig populations.

The Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade said last month, the price of live pigs hit VNĐ 四 五,000- 五 一,000 per kilo in the north, VNĐ 四 五,000- 五 二,000 per kilo in the central region and VNĐ 五 二,000- 五 四,000 per kilo in the south.

The price of pork in October doubled against its price during the same period last year, reaching a record high over the past few years.

Earlier, huge demand ste妹妹ed from the reduction in pig production after an oversupply of pork in early  二0 一 七 led to huge losses for farmers.

According to Nguyễn Xuân Cường, minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) pig breeding cost is VNĐ 三 五,000- 三 六,000 per kilo while the average selling price for live pigs is VNĐ 五0,000 per kilo.

High pork prices could pose a risk of more imported pork entering Việt Nam, he said.

In reality, pork prices in recent months increased by  二00 per cent compared with the middle of  二0 一 七.

Nguyễn Xuân Dương, director of MARD’s Department of Livestock, claimed Việt Nam has been one of the countries with the highest pork price in the world.

The ministry therefore sent a document to chairmen of provincial People’s Co妹妹ittees to provide regular information on pork price and supply while asking breeders and traders to help stablise the market.

Việt Nam ranks sixth globally in term of pork output.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), pork output worldwide in  二0 一 九 would be increased by  一. 四 per cent from this year.

China is expected to continue to be the biggest pork producer in the world. Its pork output in  二0 一 八 was estimated at  四 三 三. 二 五 million tonnes, accounting for  四 八 per cent of the world’s total output.

EU took the second position in term of pork output, accounting for  二 一 per cent of the total. — VNS