Pork prices at supermarkets and stores remain high despite the outbreak of African swine fever.
(Baonghean.vn) - While swine fever is spreading rapidly in many provinces and cities across the country, in traditional markets, purchasing power and pork prices have decreased. However, in clean food stores and supermarkets, pork prices remain high and purchasing power has increased.
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Instead of boycotting, consumers are looking to reputable places to buy pork. Photo: Thanh Phuc |
While pork is quite sluggish in the traditional markets, consumption is slow and low, pork purchasing power in stores and supermarkets has increased even though the price is 10-30% higher than in the market. Consumers go to reputable supermarkets and food stores in the hope of being assured of the origin, source and quality of the meat.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam (Hong Son ward, Vinh city) said: "Buying at the supermarket is a bit more expensive than at the market, but it is more secure. Products at the supermarket have a certificate of raising livestock according to VietGAP standards, have quarantine certificates from the slaughterhouse, and test results are negative for African swine fever virus, so they are probably safe."
Surveying some supermarkets in Vinh city, on the morning of March 15, the prices of pork products did not fluctuate compared to the beginning of the month. Compared to prices in traditional markets, pork prices at these supermarkets were about 10-15% higher. Specifically, the price of thigh meat was 101,000 VND/kg; shoulder meat was 100,900 VND/kg, lean meat was 106,900 VND/kg...
To create trust for customers, in addition to displaying certificates on livestock farming, slaughtering, and quarantine, supermarkets and stores also arrange banners and post information with pictures on how to choose clean pork and how to distinguish diseased pork for consumers to compare when choosing to buy pork.
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Clean food stores attract a large number of customers, even though pork prices are higher than those at traditional markets. Photo: Thanh Phuc |
In recent days, the number of consumers visiting the clean food chain has also increased compared to previous months, the most popular items are fresh pork, sausages, and ham. On average, the amount of meat sold at the stores of this system is about 90 - 100 kg per day (30 kg higher than normal); the prices of meat remain high: baby back ribs 139,000 VND/kg, ham bone 85,000 VND/kg, pork belly 135,000 VND/kg...
According to an employee of a clean food store, the prices of these meats have remained the same since after Tet until now, not because of the widespread epidemic. The reason the prices are higher than those at the traditional market is because the input price is high, the pigs are raised according to VietGAP standards, have certificates of origin, have output contracts and are fully quarantined.
However, when choosing to buy pork at these stores, consumers are still quite cautious. A representative of a clean food store chain in Vinh city said: "Since cholera was discovered in Vietnam, especially when cholera appeared in Quynh Luu district, the number of consumers interacting through our chain's Facebook page is quite large. They ask about the origin of pork, request quarantine papers... before ordering and buying products."
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Meanwhile, pork stalls in the markets are quite deserted. Photo: Thanh Phuc |
In response to some consumers’ fear of consuming pork during the outbreak, authorities have warned that African swine fever is not transmitted to humans. Therefore, people should avoid panic and turn their backs on this essential food. However, they must choose safe pork products, with guaranteed origin, free of disease and processed hygienically.