Pork, considered the 'most expensive in Vietnam,' costs nearly 900,000 VND/kg.

While domestic pork prices are plummeting, the most expensive pork sold in Vietnam is reaching nearly 900,000 VND per kilogram.

While domestically produced pork is sold to consumers at local markets for around 80,000 to 130,000 VND per kilogram, and at supermarkets for 80,000 to 160,000 VND per kilogram, frozen fresh pork imported into Vietnam is also priced higher.mainly from European countries such as Spain, Germany, Poland…It's not too different either.

The price of Spanish pork loin or shoulder is currently only around 135,000 VND per kilogram. Spanish pork tenderloin is also just over 160,000 VND, equivalent to the same type of meat from Germany. Meanwhile, Polish pork shank is currently priced at around 100,000 VND per kilogram.

However, at a completely different price point, importers say that Spanish Iberico pork is currently the most expensive on the Vietnamese market. Previously, many Vietnamese people knew this type of pork in the form of cured or smoked meat, imported in limited quantities to serve in 5-star hotels. But since the end of 2016, Iberico pork has been available in Vietnam in the form of fresh, frozen meat in trays.

“Iberico pork is indeed the most expensive pork on the Vietnamese market today. Fresh frozen pork is sold at supermarkets for prices ranging from 275,000 VND per kilogram for ribs to around 900,000 VND for loin. Salted and smoked pork costs between 2.2 million and 5.2 million VND per kilogram, but people usually only buy about 100-200 grams at a time,” confirmed Ms. Dao Thi Ha Vy, CEO of Gourmetfood, a company that imports Iberico pork.

Weighing in at least 250 grams, a pack of Iberico sirloin steak like this sells for around 230,000 VND in Vietnam.

According to Ms. Vy, this is not actually a replacement for the pork consumed daily by Vietnamese people, but rather a supplementary product. Customers mainly buy it to experience international culinary culture or are mothers with good incomes who want to change up their children's diet.

"Currently, the market is very enthusiastic about it, especially Iberico pork ribs because they suit the consumption style of Vietnamese people and the price is not too different from regular pork ribs," Ms. Vy added, but declined to disclose sales volume.

According to surveys, Iberico pork is currently mainly served in high-end restaurants, hotels, international schools, and modern-style barbecue restaurants. According to chefs, this type of meat can be prepared in many different ways, like other types of pork. However, kitchens often choose grilling, steak, pan-frying, or braising with as few seasonings as possible to preserve its original, distinctive flavor.

In addition, several supermarket chains specializing in imported goods such as An Nam Gourmet, US mart, Auchan, VietGreen, Tokyo mart, Cho Pho… have also started selling it. “Currently, the Vietnamese market mainly consists of ordinary white pork, raised domestically and imported by businesses. There is no pork product in the same segment as Iberico pork; it should be compared to premium imported beef,” one company commented.

In fact, it's not surprising that Iberico pork is the most expensive pork on the Vietnamese market. This is because, globally, this type of pork is a limited delicacy. Iberico is a black pig breed from Spain, originating thousands of years ago in the Iberian Peninsula (now Spain and Portugal). Iberico pigs are nicknamed "the four-legged olive tree" because their oleic acid content is second only to olive oil. In Spain, all Iberico pigs are raised in oak forests for at least four months, foraging for acorns, beans, grains, and herbs.

Deraza, a leading Spanish producer of Iberico pork, only supplies 120,000 pigs annually. Its main markets are in Europe and a few countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. Japan is the largest market in Asia, while Vietnam is a relatively young and modest market.

According to VNE