The most expensive pork in Vietnam is nearly 900,000 VND/kg

While domestic pork prices are struggling, the most expensive type of pork being sold in Vietnam is up to nearly 900,000 VND per kilogram.

While domestic pork is being sold to consumers in retail markets for about 80,000 VND to 130,000 VND per kg, and in supermarkets for 80,000 VND to 160,000 VND per kg, fresh frozen pork imported to Vietnammainly from European countries such as: Spain, Germany, Poland...not too different.

The price of Spanish pork chops or lean ham is currently only about 135,000 VND per kilogram. Spanish pork loin is also only over 160,000 VND, equivalent to the same type of meat originating from Germany. Meanwhile, Polish pork leg is currently priced at about 100,000 VND per kilogram.

However, at a completely different price range, importers say that Spanish Iberico pork is the most expensive in the Vietnamese market. Previously, many Vietnamese people knew this type of pork as salted meat, smoked meat, imported in limited quantities to serve in 5-star hotels. But since late 2016, Iberico pork has been available in Vietnam in the form of fresh, frozen meat packed in blister packs.

“Iberico pork is indeed the most expensive pork in the Vietnamese market today. Fresh frozen meat is sold at retail at supermarkets for prices ranging from VND275,000 per kilogram for ribs to about VND900,000 for loins. Salted pork and smoked pork cost about VND2.2 million to VND5.2 million per kilogram, but people usually only buy about 100-200 grams at a time,” confirmed Ms. Dao Thi Ha Vy - CEO of Gourmetfood, a unit that imports Iberico pork.

Weighing about 250 grams, a tray of Iberico loin steak like this is sold in Vietnam for about 230,000 VND.

According to Ms. Vy, this is not actually a product line that replaces the daily pork used by Vietnamese people, but is just a supplementary product. Customers who buy it mainly want to experience international culinary culture or mothers with good incomes who want to change their children's taste.

“The market is currently very enthusiastic about it, especially Iberico pork ribs because they suit the Vietnamese consumer style and the price is not too different from regular pork ribs,” Ms. Vy added, but refused to disclose sales volume.

According to a survey, Iberico pork is currently mainly served in high-end restaurants, hotels, international schools and modern style rib grills. According to chefs, this type of meat can be prepared in many different ways like other types of pork. However, kitchens often choose to grill, steak, pan-fry or hot pot with as little seasoning as possible to retain the original characteristic flavor.

In addition, some supermarket chains specializing in selling foreign goods such as An Nam Gourmet, US mart, Auchan, VietGreen, Tokyo mart, Cho Pho... have also started doing business. "Currently, the Vietnamese market is mainly white pork, raised domestically and imported by businesses. There is no pork line in the same segment as Iberico pork, it must be compared with imported grade A beef lines", a unit commented.

In fact, it is not surprising that Iberico pork occupies the most expensive position in the Vietnamese pork market. Because, in the world, this pork is also a specialty with limited quantity. Iberico is a Spanish black pig breed, originating for thousands of years in the Iberian Peninsula (now Spain and Portugal). Iberico pigs are known as "4-legged olive trees" because the oleic acid content in this breed is second only to olive oil. In Spain, all Iberico pigs are grazed in oak forests for at least 4 months to find acorns, beans, cereals and herbs.

Spain’s leading Iberico pork producer, Deraza, can only supply 120,000 pigs per year. The main consumption markets are in Europe and some countries such as Japan, Korea, Singapore, etc. Of which, Japan is the largest market in Asia, while Vietnam is a young and quite modest market.

According to VNE