Farms are sitting on about 200,000 tons of live pigs weighing 100 to 150 kg each that have remained unsold, according to a report by the Department of Livestock Production.
Farms are sitting on about 200,000 tons of live pigs weighing 100 to 150 kg each that have remained unsold, according to a report by the Department of Livestock Production.
At a conference on livestock consumption promotion on Wednesday, the department said live pig prices are on the wane in Mekong Delta, southeastern and northern provinces. Pig prices dipped to VND20,000-25,000 per kg in March and April, the lowest in 10 years.
In early May, pigs were sold at VND18,000-20,000 per kg. Farmers suffered losses of VND1-1.5 million (US$44.34-66.51) a pig on average.
Hoang Thi Bich Hang, chairwoman of the Dong Nai Farmers' Union, told the Daily that 7,000-8,000 pigs are sold daily to major meat processor Vissan, two wholesale markets in HCMC and enterprises, supermarkets and markets in Dong Nai. Thus, buyers have been found for 300,000 pigs in Dong Nai Province.
Pig prices in the province now range from VND22,000 to VND30,000 per kg. Pork prices at markets and supermarkets have dropped to VND45,000 per kg of pig legs and VND70,000 per kg of lean pork, Hang added.
Supermarkets in HCMC have implemented numerous promotion programs to boost pork consumption to support farmers.
Doan Diep Binh, public relations manager at Lotte Mart, said Lotte Mart supermarkets will launch a non-profit pork sales program on May 30, with a 30% discount offered for all pork products.
Vo Hoang Anh, Saigon Co.op marketing director, said shoppers can get 10-20% off prices of pork products at Co.opmart supermarkets until May 25.
Pork consumption has improved 15-20%, helped by discounts. The Co.opmart store chain currently sells about 1,000 tons of pork a month, said Anh.
Pork prices at traditional wet markets in HCMC are stable as well.
(Source:SGT)
