Pork prices continue to rise sharply.

For several months since the Lunar New Year, the price of live pigs sold on the market has continuously increased, exceeding 80,000 VND/kg, an increase of about 20,000 VND/kg compared to the same period last year and the highest in the last 5 years. This high and prolonged price increase, even during the off-peak period (after Tet, pork consumption usually slows down due to reduced demand), has caused significant difficulties for both consumers and small traders.

Pork stall at Lieu De market, Nghia Hung district.

Currently, pork prices in most local markets throughout the province are high. Specifically, pork belly and shoulder are priced at 170-180 thousand VND/kg; tenderloin, rump, and leg at 150 thousand VND/kg; ribs at 150 thousand VND/kg; and pork fat at 70-80 thousand VND/kg… Correspondingly, the price of pork certified according to VietGAP farming standards or pork sold in supermarkets and clean food stores has also increased by about 20 thousand VND/kg. Due to the increase in raw material prices, processed pork products such as sausages, ham, pate, etc., have also increased by about 25% in line with the raw material price.

Consumers have quickly reduced pork consumption in their family meals, causing a sluggish market. At meat stalls in local markets, the supply of meat is significantly less than before because traders are hesitant due to the daily increase in prices, unsatisfactory meat quality, and decreased consumer demand. Many traders have been forced to reduce their business operations, selling every other day, closing mid-week, and only selling on weekends when they are usually busy. Even within a single market day, prices are only kept high at the beginning and reduced to non-profit levels at the end to try and recover capital. Ms. Tran Thu Ha, owner of a ready-made food stall on Thanh Chung Street ( Nam Dinh city), said: "The main ingredient in my shop is pork, so even though I want to retain customers, to ensure I don't lose money, I have to increase the prices of my products. Roasted pork, shredded pork, pate, braised pork... have all increased by 20,000 VND/kg compared to the Tet holiday period, but I still can't guarantee the same profit margin as before."

Pork accounts for 65% of the consumer price index among food items. Currently, pork prices are quite high, bringing profits to farmers and businesses. However, the continuous and prolonged price increase with no sign of decreasing is causing concern among many. The main reasons for this price increase are the reduced supply of live pigs after the Lunar New Year while restocking is slow; the erratic hot and humid weather at the end of winter and beginning of spring creates favorable conditions for African swine fever in adult pigs; and outbreaks of acute diarrhea in piglets. In addition, the implementation of regulations on large-scale pig farming conditions has forced many facilities to cease or relocate their operations, leading to a sharp decrease in supply. Notably, information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment indicates that in February 2025, imports of livestock products reached over 373 million USD, bringing the total import value for the first two months of this year to over 734 million USD, an increase of 50.3% compared to the same period in 2024.

According to forecasts from relevant authorities, pork prices may continue to rise in the near future, but there will be no shortage of meat, and prices will quickly stabilize as the hot season approaches, reducing demand for pork. In addition, the weather is gradually stabilizing, favorable for farmers to restock their herds; the supply of breeding stock is stable, and feed prices are trending downwards. The Department of Agriculture and local authorities in the province are encouraging farmers to actively restock their herds; promoting the transfer and application of modern livestock farming technologies to improve productivity, quality, and disease prevention and control in pigs, as well as management of breeding facilities; and increasing local breeding stock production capacity to lower costs and ensure disease safety. Emphasis is placed on market management from the supply of breeding stock and feed to finished products, avoiding factors that could destabilize the pork market.

Text and photos: Nguyen Huong

Source: https://baonamdinh.vn/kinh-te/202503/gia-thit-lon-lien-tuc-tang-manh-e0c71dd/