Nghe An: Chicken prices at the farm 'hit rock bottom', supermarkets and markets still sell at high prices

CHICKEN PRICE PARADOX

Chicken prices at farms have dropped sharply, considered to have "hit rock bottom", causing farmers to suffer losses. Photo: Thanh Phuc

For nearly a month now, the price of chickens sold at farms in the province has dropped sharply, considered to have “hit rock bottom”. In Tan Ky district, the hybrid fighting chicken breed, raised in the form of semi-free range, is currently priced at a very low 65,000 VND/kg; the free range chicken breed is priced at 85,000 VND/kg (a decrease of about 30,000 VND/kg).

Many chicken farms in Yen Thanh, Dien Chau... are similar. Chicken prices have plummeted, causing farmers to suffer heavy losses. Mr. Dau Ngoc Hoa - Director of VietGAP Dien Trung Chicken Farming Cooperative (Dien Chau) said: Since the beginning of March, the price of farm chicken has dropped to 45,000 VND/kg, down 20,000 VND/kg compared to before.

The paradox is that the price of chicken at the farm is cheap, the farmers are losing money, but the price of chicken meat in supermarkets and markets remains high, with little fluctuation compared to before. Specifically, at Yen Thanh town market, the price of live chicken and slaughtered chicken has not decreased compared to before, good, beautiful chicken (not slaughtered) costs 120,000 VND/kg, the lowest price of chicken is 80,000 VND/kg, ready-to-eat meat costs from 90,000 to 100,000 VND/kg.

Chicken prices at traditional markets and supermarkets in the province remain high. Photo: Thanh Phuc - Xuan Hoang

At some markets in Vinh city, while people expect to replace pork with chicken, the price of chicken and duck remains high. Specifically, the price of free-range chicken is 100,000 VND/kg; industrial chicken is 60,000 VND/kg, and sugarcane chicken is 120,000 VND/kg. In particular, pre-slaughtered industrial chicken, sold by breast and thigh, costs from 60-65,000 VND/kg.

In many supermarkets and food stores, the price of slaughtered chickens is also high. Specifically, the price of CP chicken is 104,000 VND/kg (whole chicken); imported chicken (divided by parts: chicken thighs, chicken wings, chicken necks, chicken cartilage, chicken breast) is priced from 58,000 VND - 90,000 VND/kg.

The cause of this paradox is believed to be due to the high number of intermediary steps between buying and selling to consumers.

Supermarkets are in a similar situation when they depend on businesses to supply goods.When supply remains high, it is difficult for supermarkets to sell cheaply.

As for the livestock farmers, they said that large-scale chicken farms often sell in large quantities to restaurants, hotels, and large eateries, which have just reduced prices due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic. As for small-scale livestock farms, with a few chickens in their homes, not using industrial feed, ensuring meat quality, and mainly selling to housewives, the selling price remains high and consumption is stable.

POULTRY FARMERS BOOST ONLINE SALES

The owner of a chicken farm in Ky Son commune (Tan Ky) said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of chickens sold online accounts for 1/3 of the output. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Although chicken prices have dropped sharply and farmers are suffering losses, households and farm owners still maintain their flocks and shift their consumption to a new channel: online sales. During the Covid-19 pandemic, chicken farms in Tan Ky district have been selling chickens online, accounting for 1/3 of the chickens sold since March.

Also through advertising and selling on groups, Facebook pages, and personal Zalo pages, many chicken producers in Nghia Dan district have also sought outlets for chickens and ducks.