Chicken meat in Nghe An on the rise again

Chickens raised in the form of free-range sale in Yen Thanh, Tan Ky... have increased in price in recent days. Photo: Xuan Hoang

For nearly half a month now, the price of poultry such as chicken, duck, goose, and swan in Nghe An has gradually increased, the quantity consumed is also higher than before, in which the price of chicken has improved the most. Ms. Nguyen Thi Chin, a poultry trader at Vinh market, said: "If during the period of social distancing (from the end of March to the end of April), on average, only a few dozen chickens were sold each day, after April 23 until now, the average amount of chicken consumed each day is 3 times higher than before."

If in mid-March, chicken prices plummeted, at times "hitting rock bottom": Industrial chicken prices dropped to 40,000 VND/kg, down 20,000 VND/kg compared to before, free-range chickens cost 50,000 VND/kg, down 20,000 - 25,000 VND/kg compared to before, farmers lost about 3,000 - 5,000 VND/kg, then up to now, chicken prices have gradually recovered, increased 7 - 10 prices compared to before, many households are happy to tears.

Currently, the price of chicken has increased from 45,000 VND/kg to 54,000 VND/kg (semi-industrial chickens), free-range chicken has increased from 55,000 VND/kg to 62,000 VND/kg; the price of free-range chicken has increased slightly from 110,000 VND to 120,000 VND/kg.

Broiler chickens are consumed strongly at markets in Vinh City. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Le Thanh Hung, owner of a chicken farm in Tien Thanh commune (Yen Thanh) said: "The price of broiler chickens has started to recover since the end of March and is easier to sell than before, traders come to the barn to order and buy. Therefore, farmers are starting to make a profit, not having to make up for losses like in previous months."

At traditional markets, supermarkets, and food stores, chicken prices have also increased sharply. Accordingly, the price of chicken meat has increased from 10,000 VND - 12,000 VND/kg (depending on the type), specifically: free-range chicken costs 100,000 VND/kg; industrial chicken costs 70,000 VND/kg, and free-range chicken costs 120,000 - 125,000 VND/kg. In particular, pre-slaughtered industrial chicken, sold by breast and thigh, costs from 85,000 VND/kg.

The reason for the increase in chicken prices is that after the Government loosened the social distancing order, shops, restaurants... resumed operations, the demand for chicken as an ingredient for dishes and snacks increased, so chicken is easy to consume. Besides, this time is also preparing for the peak tourist season.

Chicken prices have increased in recent days, creating conditions for farmers to sell chickens after a long period of not being able to sell them. Photo: Xuan Hoang

On the other hand, because pork prices remain high, many housewives choose poultry instead as the main dish in meals.

Mr. Nguyen Van Lap - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said: In the past 10 days, due to the trade of goods, in addition to chicken meat, many other agricultural products have increased in price again. This is a favorable condition for farmers to increase production, meeting market demand. It is expected that chicken prices will increase further in the coming time, when students of boarding schools eat at school and other collective kitchens resume operations.

As of the end of April 2020, tThe poultry flock (chickens, ducks, geese) in the province is estimated at over 27 million, an increase of 6.91%, of which the chicken flock is estimated at 22,484 thousand, an increase of 7.11%.