Pork price increased by 200%, most expensive in the world: Ministry of Agriculture issued urgent dispatch

Faced with the situation of pork prices increasing by 200% compared to 2017 and becoming the country with the highest pork prices in the world, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has issued an urgent dispatch requesting provinces to compile statistics and take measures to stabilize the supply of pork urgently.

The urgent dispatch sent to provinces and cities nationwide signed by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Van Tuan stated that the market and livestock industry are on the path of recovery and good development, however, the current high price of live pigs and the complicated developments have greatly affected the consumer price index (CPI), and at the same time, the potential risk of breaking the balance of the pork industry in the near future is unavoidable.

Faced with skyrocketing pork prices, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has just issued an urgent dispatch requesting provinces to stabilize pork supply.

Regarding the domestic pig price, it is currently among the highest in the region and is completely controlled by the domestic market and farmers. In particular, the pig price is currently higher in rural areas, flea markets and small-scale slaughterhouses. The reason is that butchers in this area do not have access to the farms and businesses that are the main suppliers of pork, which has caused the price of local pork to increase in many places, causing the market psychology of a shortage of pork supply and pushing up the price of pork nationwide.

Faced with the above situation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requests the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to direct the local authorities to urgently and quickly compile statistics on the current sow herd size and pig head, expected pork output for each month from now until February 2019, compare with the same period in 2017, and send an urgent report to the Department of Livestock Production before August 2, 2018 for synthesis and reporting to the Government.

In addition, it is necessary to regularly and fully inform about market prices as well as pork supply; to propagate so that farmers and traders know and have the responsibility to stabilize the market, the livestock industry in general, and the pig farming industry in particular. Accordingly, do not push the price of pork to exceed the threshold of 50,000 VND/kg, export pigs of the right age and volume, do not speculate and hoard goods waiting for prices to increase and absolutely do not let large livestock enterprises in the area manipulate prices.

Notably, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Official Dispatch also requested provinces to implement measures to stabilize pork prices. In particular, it recommended that consumers change their food consumption structure to be more suitable with domestic food supplies, because currently, poultry meat and egg products, especially free-range chickens and ducks, are abundant in production, of good quality and affordable prices.

In addition, carefully check and take timely measures to support disease prevention, especially the use of vaccines for sows in the area because when the price of pigs was at its lowest in 2017, farmers did not pay much attention to the use of vaccines. Create the most favorable conditions for the circulation of livestock and poultry, especially pork in the area. Recommend and propose solutions to stabilize the market and develop the pig farming industry sustainably and effectively.

In fact, according to VietNamNet reporters, the price of live pigs for slaughter in many northern provinces such as Hanoi, Ha Nam, Ninh Binh, Hai Duong has increased to 54,000 - 56,000 VND/kg. At its peak, in some localities in Ha Tinh, the price of live pigs for slaughter reached 58,000 VND/kg.

Previously, according to the Department of Agricultural Product Processing and Market Development (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), the price of live pigs for slaughter nationwide increased sharply. Compared to 2017, the current price of live pigs has increased by 200%.

The Acting Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry also admitted to VietNamNet that the price of live pigs nationwide is increasing. And with the current price, the price of live pigs for slaughter in Vietnam is the country with the most expensive pork price in the world.

Previously, in 2017, pork prices had reached a record low, with some places at their lowest price of just over 20,000 VND/kg. The price hitting rock bottom and then rising to a record high in the world is also an unprecedented situation. At this time, it is very profitable for farmers to maintain their herds.