Pork prices increase sharply

For the past 2 months, the price of live pigs in Thai Nguyen has been on an upward trend and has increased the most in the past week. Currently, the price of live pigs in the market is at 71-73 thousand VND/kg, an increase of 5-8 thousand VND/kg compared to the same period last year. The high price of live pigs has also caused the price of hogs to increase significantly.

Currently, the price of pork at markets in the province has increased by 5-10 thousand VND/kg (depending on the type) compared to last week.

According to Ms. Trinh Thi Manh, a pork trader in Group 8, Hoang Van Thu Ward (Thai Nguyen City), for the past week, the price of pork has been increasing day by day. Previously, the selling price at slaughterhouses was stable at 89-90 thousand VND/kg, but now it has increased to 95 thousand VND/kg. This is the highest level in more than a year. Notably, the trend of increasing pork prices continues and shows no signs of stopping.

As a staple food in people's daily meals, pork consumption in the province is still quite stable despite the price increase. Through a survey at local markets, we found that pork products are sold at prices ranging from 80,000 to 160,000 VND/kg. This price is not much different from 2 months ago (each type increased from 2,000 to 10,000 VND/kg). Specifically, loin ribs are sold at the highest price, from 150,000 to 160,000 VND/kg; pork belly, lean shoulder, shoulder, ham hock... are priced at 110,000 to 120,000 VND/kg; bone blocks are priced at 80,000 to 90,000 VND/kg.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Truong, a pork trader on Bac Kan Street (Thai Nguyen City), said: The price of live pigs and hogs has increased, but the selling price to the people must remain stable, without major fluctuations. If the selling price to the people is pushed too high, with the current rich food market, families will switch from pork to other products such as beef, chicken, fish, shrimp, etc.

At some supermarkets in Thai Nguyen province, the selling price has remained almost unchanged compared to 2 months ago. For example, at Minh Cau Supermarket (Thai Nguyen City), the price of pork belly is currently at 145 thousand VND/kg; ham hock 135 thousand VND/kg; loin ribs 150 thousand VND/kg; lean meat 140 thousand VND/kg... The chain-based livestock linkage has helped the input and output of these units not be strongly affected by the fluctuations of the pork market in and outside the province.

Mr. Le Dac Vinh, Head of the provincial Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Fisheries, said: Unlike previous years, since Tet until now, the price of live pigs in the market has continuously increased. Not only Thai Nguyen but the whole country has seen fluctuations in the price of live pigs after Tet.

According to authorities, the increase in pork prices is due to the recent outbreak of African swine fever and blue ear disease in some provinces and cities across the country, while the cost of investing in animal feed has increased. Therefore, many pig farmers in the province have been cautious when restocking, or have not expanded their pig herds.

In particular, after the impact of storm No. 3 last September, many farms and households were flooded, facilities were affected, and it took a lot of time and money to repair, so herd restoration encountered many difficulties. Meanwhile, the control of smuggling pigs from the Vietnam - China border into Thai Nguyen was quite strict, so the supply was significantly selected, reducing the quantity but improving the quality.

The price of live pigs in Thai Nguyen is pushed even higher as a large amount of pork is being supplied to the Southern market (where the price of pork sold to consumers is the highest in the country, many types are sold at 200-220 thousand VND/kg).

According to the representative of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Fisheries of Thai Nguyen province, the selling price of live pigs in Thai Nguyen is unlikely to exceed 80,000 VND/kg because people have many other types of food to choose from.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202502/gia-thit-lon-hoi-tang-manh-088143a/