Fearing the epidemic, many people are selling pigs, prices have dropped sharply.

In May 2019, domestic pig prices decreased due to the complicated developments of African swine fever. Although many provinces had declared the epidemic over, outbreaks recurred. In particular, due to fear of the epidemic, many farmers sold large quantities of pigs, causing the supply of pigs to suddenly increase and the price of pigs to drop sharply.

Traders choose to buy live pigs at the Livestock and Poultry Wholesale Market in Binh Luc District (Ha Nam). Photo: Tran Quang

Specifically, according to the Department of Agricultural Product Processing and Market Development, in the North, the price of live pigs in Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang, Thai Binh, Yen Bai, Lao Cai in May 2019 decreased by 6,000 - 7,000 VND/kg compared to the previous month.

In Phu Tho and Tuyen Quang, the price of live pigs is now only 29,000 VND/kg; Thai Binh decreased by 3,000 VND/kg to 31,000 VND/kg and Yen Bai and Lao Cai down to 32,000 VND/kg.

The remaining localities such as Hung Yen, Thai Nguyen, Ha Nam, Vinh Phuc, Nam Dinh fluctuated between 28,000 - 31,000 VND/kg, down 5,000 VND/kg. In Hanoi, the price of live pigs is currently from 27,000 - 30,000 VND/kg depending on the type.

In the Central and Central Highlands regions, the price of live pigs also decreased. Specifically, according to a survey from the local price system, the price of live pigs in Quang Binh and Thua Thien Hue decreased by 11,000 VND/kg, down to 29,000 VND/kg. Dak Lak also decreased by 10,000 VND/kg to 32,000 VND/kg.

In Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Binh Dinh, live pigs were purchased at around 28,000 - 31,000 VND/kg, down 9,000 - 10,000 VND/kg compared to the same period in April.

In the South, provinces such as Soc Trang and Ca Mau also saw a sharp drop in live pig prices, down 9,000 - 11,000 VND/kg compared to April, to only 35,000 VND/kg.

It is forecasted that the price of live pigs in the coming time will be difficult to recover due to the impact of African swine fever. Photo: NV

Currently, African swine fever is still complicated and shows no signs of stopping. Although some provinces have declared the end of the epidemic, the disease has returned to break out due to the lack of strict disease control, mainly arising in small-scale livestock households due to lack of awareness of disease prevention, failure to disinfect barns, and use of leftover food for pigs...

In many localities, most small-scale farmers are not restocking their herds due to fear of African swine fever. Therefore, pork supply at the end of 2019 may decrease sharply and pork prices will increase in the coming time.