The sharp increase in live pig prices in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026 is good news for pig farmers, but it will force many consumers to think twice and tighten their spending as pork prices continue to rise at high levels in many wholesale markets.
Nearly a month ago, the family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Hang in Nam Cuong ward sold 14 live pigs, weighing over 2 tons, at a price of 72,000 VND/kg. After deducting expenses, Ms. Hang earned a profit of approximately 4 million VND per pig. Currently, her family is preparing to sell another herd of 18 pigs. Ms. Hang estimates that if pig prices continue to remain high as they are now, after just two sales, her family will earn a profit of over 100 million VND.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hang, from Nam Cuong ward, is diligently caring for her pigs to ensure they are ready for sale during the Lunar New Year.
With livestock farming as their primary source of income, the high price of live pigs is a great joy for many farmers in Nam Cuong. Thanks to a focus on proper care and ensuring disease prevention, the livestock industry in Nam Cuong recovered strongly immediately after the African swine fever outbreak subsided. The high price of live pigs further motivates households to develop pig farming.
Ms. Phung Thi Nguyen, residing in Quang Minh village, Quy Mong commune, a large-scale pig farmer for many years, said: "Just over a month ago, my family sold over 1 ton of pork at 68,000 VND/kg; after only a week, by the beginning of January 2026, the price of live pigs at the farm gate continuously increased to 70,000 - 75,000 VND; currently, the average price is around 80,000 VND/kg, and some families even sell at 82,000 - 83,000 VND/kg."
Currently, Ms. Nguyen's farm has more than 10 fattened pigs, waiting to be sold closer to Tet (Lunar New Year). Although the African Swine Fever outbreak in 2025 caused significant losses, the rising price of live pigs helped her family make a profit, partially offsetting the risks. After Tet, her family plans to build an additional 300 m² of pig pens, raise more sows, and buy more piglets to increase their fattened pig farming.
According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Sinh, a long-time pig farmer in Quy Mong commune, it has been a long time since the price of live pigs increased like it has recently. Many farmers are very excited, gaining more confidence and motivation to invest in pig farming. Currently, farming costs have also increased due to feed prices doubling compared to 1-2 years ago, so the current price of live pigs is necessary for farmers to make a profit.
During the Lunar New Year holiday, market demand for pork increases significantly, marking a peak time for farmers to sell their products. At wholesale and local markets in Lao Cai province, according to many pork traders, the price of live pigs has been rising daily and weekly for over a month now, reaching approximately 15-20% higher than the same period last year.
Ms. Tran Thi Hoa, a small trader at Dong Tam Market in Yen Bai Ward, said: "The price of live pigs usually increases sharply around the Lunar New Year, but in reality, the supply of live pigs this year is still sufficient. The price increase is mainly due to increased demand; every family needs a lot of food during Tet, so prices are pushed higher. Because of the increase in live pig prices, traders also adjust the prices of other meats daily."
Ms. Tran Thi Hoa - a pork vendor at Dong Tam Market, Yen Bai Ward.
Currently, pork belly, pork shoulder, and ribs are the three most expensive cuts, ranging from 180,000 to 190,000 VND per kilogram.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Van from Van Phu ward shared: "With the sharp increase in meat prices, my family will reduce our pork consumption and switch to fish and chicken."
Pork prices are rising daily, forcing small traders to constantly adjust meat prices. When meat prices are high, consumers buy less, and traders face difficulties in selling their products. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai, a small trader at Minh Tan Market, Yen Bai Ward, said: "Many people who come to buy meat complain about how expensive it is. We are also saddened by this, but we have no other choice."
With rising prices, many consumers have reduced their pork consumption.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lao Cai province, the total pig population in Lao Cai province is currently estimated at over 1.2 million. Although African swine fever in 2025 significantly impacted the livestock industry, proactive disease prevention and restocking efforts ensured that the total output of live pigs for slaughter throughout the year still reached over 160,000 tons, an increase of over 3,000 tons compared to 2024. This did not significantly affect the supply of pork products, meeting the consumption needs of the people during the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse.
Currently, live pig prices are forecast to continue rising, especially in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year). However, according to relevant authorities, farmers should not restock their herds indiscriminately and need to be cautious about increasing their herds. Ms. Dao Minh Hue, Deputy Head of the Department of Crop Production, Plant Protection and Livestock, and Veterinary Medicine of Lao Cai province, affirmed: "While live pig prices have increased, the prices of input materials, especially animal feed, are still rising; therefore, farmers must carefully consider their options to ensure profitability."
The high price of live pigs has brought profits to pig farmers, after a long period of low prices and difficulties caused by disease outbreaks. However, farmers need to strictly adhere to disease prevention and control measures to ensure product quality when brought to market; at the same time, they must maintain a safe farming environment to stabilize production and continue restocking.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/gia-lon-hoi-tang-cao-nguoi-chan-nuoi-phan-khoi-nguoi-tieu-dung-dan-do-post893138.html
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