Three solutions to ensure pork supply

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Cuong – Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

At the "2019 Agriculture and Rural Development Conference", Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said: "With 25 million pigs remaining, there is currently no shortage of pork, enough to supply the whole country and ready to import 7,000 tons of pork. It is necessary to deal with the spread of false rumors about pork shortage because there is not much shortage, it is necessary to import a few thousand more tons to reduce prices. Any business or farm that hoards pigs and refuses to export pigs must be dealt with."

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Cuong - Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development discussed this issue.

Reporter: Could you please tell us about the impact of African swine fever on pig farming and the livestock production situation in 2019?

Accumulated from the beginning of February 2019 to December 25, 2019, African swine fever occurred in 8,526 communes in 667 districts of 63 provinces and cities with a total number of pigs destroyed of 5,957,460; the total weight of pigs destroyed was 342,802 tons, accounting for about 9% of the total weight of pigs in the country.

The epidemic has decreased sharply recently, up to now, 6,020 communes (accounting for 71% of the total number of communes with the epidemic) in 412 districts of 56 provinces and cities have passed 30 days without a re-emergence of the epidemic. Hung Yen and Hai Duong provinces alone have been free of the epidemic. In December 2019, the number of pigs culled was about 50 thousand, down 67% compared to November 2019 and down 96% compared to May 2019 (the peak month, when more than 1.27 million pigs had to be culled).

The output of fresh meat of all kinds in 2019 is estimated at about 5 million tons, down 6.23% compared to 2018. Of which, the cattle herd increased by 2.4%, meat output was 350 thousand tons (up 4.4%); milk reached about 11.1 million tons (up 10%); poultry herd increased by 13.5%, meat output was estimated at 1.26 million tons (up 15%), egg output was estimated at 14 billion eggs (up 12%).

Pig farming in particular faced many difficulties due to African swine fever, which reduced the number of pigs and pork output for the whole year of 2019, estimated at about 3.3 million tons, down 13.5% compared to 2018 (including a decrease of about 9% due to damage caused by African swine fever and indirectly due to lack of herd restoration).

Pork prices have been increasing continuously in recent times and are at an unprecedented high. Photo: Quang An

Reporter: Public opinion is still very concerned about the shortage of pork while Tet is approaching. Could the Minister please tell us about this issue?

We are focusing on inspecting the work of strengthening livestock production development to ensure meeting the demand during the Lunar New Year as well as the months after Tet. We see that localities are seriously implementing the direction of the Government and the Prime Minister on focusing on strengthening the production of diverse types of food.

With the strong increase in poultry, livestock and aquatic products, it can be affirmed that the total amount of food for the end of the year and the beginning of next year is very abundant. Currently, the total number of pigs reported by the provinces is about 25 million, of which the sow herd is 2.7 million; the great-grandparent and grandparent herd is 109 thousand. This number of pigs is basically enough to meet the breeding needs for pig herd restoration.

Large enterprises with pork production chains such as CP, Masan, Mavin,... have been expanding hundreds of points of sale of quality pork, disease-free and food-safe in many provinces and cities to serve consumer needs.

Regarding pig herd restoration, after the African swine fever epidemic has been reduced to a controllable level, localities are accelerating herd restoration. It is commendable that localities have organized technical guidance for farmers to restore their herds according to a careful process. We believe that herd restoration will reduce the risk of disease probability, which will contribute to the pork shortage at the end of the year.

PV: With pork prices continuously increasing in recent times and reaching an unprecedented high, what solutions does the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have to address this situation?

We are implementing 3 solutions.

First of all, we must increase production. This is the most certain, sustainable and effective solution. All product groups must increase, not only pork because the increase is not only for consumption but also for export. Currently, seafood and chicken have quite good export potential. This increase has two purposes: to increase for export and to meet the food demand of the market, especially at the end of the year when demand often increases.

The second solution is that the authorities need to take strong action to strengthen control and prevent spontaneous cross-border trade to not only ensure domestic supply but also ensure disease safety and prevent transmission through the roads. Along with that, it is necessary to ensure trade, not to profiteering or hoarding goods.

The third solution, in the new livestock development strategy, will be to develop a harmonious structure of food groups to ensure economic and biological safety, while balancing nutrition in meals. It is impossible to structure meals in which 70% of the food on the tray is pork. This requires increased propaganda to change consumers' awareness and shift to harmonious consumption with other foods.

PV: Thank you, Minister!