Nghe An: Duck meat prices increase at unprecedented highs

At this time, ducks are mainly raised on farms and ranches. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Yen Thanh district is a locality with favorable conditions for duck farming. There are currently 20 duck farms in the district.duck farmingscale from 2,000 ducks or more. Farmers are excited because duck meat prices are increasing at an unprecedented rate.

Mr. Quang Thuy and his wife, who specialize in buying and selling ducks in Lien Thanh commune (Yen Thanh), said that at this time, meat ducks in the areaYen Thanh districtshortage and unprecedented price increase. "Buying a whole flock at the farm costs from 52,000 - 55,000 VND/kg, but many times we can't buy it. Meanwhile, the price of duck meat used to fluctuate from 30,000 - 35,000 VND/kg. There were times when, due to customer demand, we had to accept catching baby ducks for customers," Mr. Quang shared.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai in Yen Thanh town said that at the beginning of 2021, she bought a 1.5 kg pre-cooked duck for 100,000 VND, but now it has increased to 140,000 VND. "Although the price of duck has increased, I still buy it to eat for peace of mind, because buffalo, cows and pigs are sick at this time, so I limit eating them" - Ms. Hai shared.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Thao, the owner of a duck farm in Nam Thanh commune (Yen Thanh), said that his farm used to raise over 3,000 meat ducks at any given time, but since the price of animal feed has increased, he is afraid of losing money so he is only raising nearly 2,000 ducks this time. Unexpectedly, the price of meat ducks has increased to a record high, so he hopes this batch of ducks will be quite profitable. Although the ducks are not ready to be sold yet, due to the demand of traders, he chooses the big ducks every day to gradually sell.

At this time, duck prices are high, duck farms are profitable, even though animal feed prices have increased. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Not only in Yen Thanh, but also in key duck-raising districts in Nghe An such as Quynh Luu, Nam Dan, Hung Nguyen... the price of duck meat has also increased similarly. Duck meat is purchased at high prices at breeding farms, so duck products at markets and roast duck places are also higher than before.

Causes of duck meatincrease in priceAccording to duck farmers, due to the sharp increase in animal feed prices since the beginning of 2021, farmers, especially duck farms, have reduced their herds to avoid risks. Meanwhile, the fields have not been harvested and there is no place to graze, so people have not raised ducks in the fields. Moreover, during this period, African swine fever and lumpy skin disease in buffalo and cattle are spreading strongly in the province, so people have switched to eating more poultry.

It is known that duck eggs are also expensive at this time. At incubators, meat eggs are purchased at 2,300 VND/egg, and after being incubated, they are priced at 3,000 VND/egg.