Fear of disease, pork consumption in Nghe An is on the decline
(Baonghean.vn) - With the news of African swine fever, consumers are hesitant to buy pork for food. Many people have changed their menu to other types of meat, causing pork consumption in traditional markets to slow down somewhat...
Bi Market, Dien Ngoc Commune (Dien Chau) these days has seen a sharp decline in pork purchasing power due to the African swine fever epidemic in the district. Ms. Thai Thi Thuy, a housewife in Tay Loc Hamlet (Dien Ngoc Commune) said: “Because of the African swine fever epidemic in some localities in the district, I am quite hesitant to choose pork as the main food in the family. Instead, I choose other meat dishes such as beef, chicken, goose, duck, etc.
However, pork is still a popular dish, affordable and easy to prepare into many dishes, so I only cut down but did not completely eliminate pork. For nearly a month now, 3-4 families in the neighborhood have been using pork for their own consumption.
People are hesitant to buy pork during the complicated developments of the epidemic. Therefore, pork consumption has also decreased significantly. Ms. Ha Thi Hai, a pork trader at Si Nam market (Dien Thinh, Dien Chau) said: "Before the swine fever epidemic, I sold about 50-70 kg of meat per day, but now I only sell 30-40 kg of meat. Not only are people hesitant, but restaurants are also limiting pork imports as diners "avoid" pork and switch to other dishes."
At the local markets in Vinh city, according to records, the price of pork is still fluctuating from 100,000 to 130,000 VND/kg depending on the type, not decreasing compared to before. According to the reflection of traders, pork consumption has decreased slightly. And now, people are also more cautious when choosing to buy pork.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuan, a pork trader at Hung Dung market (Vinh city) said: "When information about African swine fever is appearing in many localities in the province, when buying pork, people often ask carefully about the origin of the pig. Many people carefully look at the quarantine stamp; observe the meat more carefully before buying."
Long-standing, reputable pork stalls in the market are sought after by many people, while pork sold on small trucks, "mobile" pork stalls displayed at intersections, on the sidewalks are more "picky" about buyers.
Ms. Tran Huong Lan, a resident of an apartment building in Hung Phuc ward, said: “Before, I used to buy meat from a person who sold it on a truck right in front of the apartment building sidewalk, but when there was information about the epidemic, I did not dare to buy it randomly anymore and instead went to an acquaintance who sold it permanently at the market to buy meat. Because when they sell it permanently at the market, they get it from a slaughterhouse with a quarantine stamp, so I feel more secure.”
In contrast to the slowdown of pork stalls at traditional markets, fresh food stalls at supermarket chains have recorded a significant increase in purchasing power as consumers choose to buy pork slaughtered on modern production lines at factories to ensure safety...
Compared to the price in traditional markets, the price of pork in supermarkets and clean food stores is 10,000 to 20,000 VND/kg higher. "Although it is more expensive, the meat has a clear origin and is clearly listed... so I feel more secure," a housewife affirmed.
According to the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health), people can absolutely use safe pork products that are not diseased and are processed hygienically. At the same time, according to the recommendations of the authorities, pork through slaughterhouses is strictly inspected so people do not need to worry.
However, currently, the situation of some spontaneous slaughterhouses operating "illegally" without the control of the authorities is a danger, which can cause sick pigs to be smuggled into the market. Therefore, people should not "boycott" or "say no" to pork but must choose to buy pork with clear origin, source, and quarantine stamps from the authorities.
The total pig herd in the province as of October 2023 is estimated at 981,352 heads, an increase of 3.3% (+31,340 heads) over the same period last year.
Currently, in the province, there are 17 outbreaks of African swine fever that have not passed 21 days in 5 districts: Quy Hop 2 outbreaks, Con Cuong 2 outbreaks, Dien Chau 8 outbreaks, Quy Chau 1 outbreak, Yen Thanh 4 outbreaks, the number of dead pigs, forced to be destroyed is 1,282, total weight is 70,503 kg.
From the beginning of 2023 to now, there have been 53 outbreaks of African swine fever in 12 districts, cities and towns, with a cumulative number of dead and culled pigs: 2,059 with a total weight of 98,721 kg.
