Black pork fat from Northwest Vietnam is as expensive as premium pork.

With retail prices ranging from 160,000 to 260,000 VND per kilogram (depending on the type), black pork fat from Northwest Vietnam is still sought after by families with relatively high incomes.

Pork fat has long been considered a cheap ingredient. However, now black pork fat from Northwest Vietnam is being sold at prices comparable to premium cuts of meat. Ms. Huyen, a small trader in District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, is selling 5 kg of black pork fat from Northwest Vietnam at the same price as pork belly and pork jowl – premium cuts of pork. Despite the high price, each shipment is quickly sold out.

According to Ms. Huyen, the black pork fat from Northwest Vietnam is favored for its delicious flavor and minimal waste during cooking. The liquid fat can be used for frying and stir-frying, while the cracklings can be combined with fish sauce or used to prepare many attractive dishes.

Black pork fat is sold in 300-gram trays for 76,500 VND at a food store in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Organica

Keeping up with the latest consumer trends, Ms. Pham Phuong Thao, owner of the Organica chain of stores in Ho Chi Minh City, also imports black pork lard to sell at 76,500 VND per 300g pack, equivalent to 255,000 VND per kilogram. Not only does she sell it to customers, but her family has also switched to using this type of lard. "Black pork lard has a more delicious flavor when used for frying onions or stir-frying rice compared to regular cooking oil, and it also keeps longer and is less wasteful," she said.

Ms. Thao's shop imports black pork fat from pig farmers in Hoa Binh province . There, the pigs are raised on natural feed such as fermented and cooked bran, without the use of industrial feed. Thanks to this natural farming method, slaughtering, and deep-freezing process, this type of fat is becoming increasingly popular with consumers.

On online marketplaces, the price of black pork fat is also widely advertised, ranging from 160,000 to 220,000 VND per kilogram, depending on the type. In addition to selling fresh fat, many stores also sell processed fat in containers and bottles.

Ms. Hong, a wholesaler specializing in this product in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, said that she only manages to gather about 50-100 kg of lard per day because the slaughter of black pigs is not abundant. To ensure sufficient supply, she has to purchase from multiple sources in Dien Bien, then divide it into vacuum-sealed bags for preservation and distribution.

Besides selling fresh lard, many shops also sell tubs of processed lard. Photo: thaonguyenhome

The Northwest Black Pig is a popular indigenous breed found in the provinces of Son La, Lai Chau, Dien Bien , Lao Cai, Yen Bai, and Hoa Binh. This breed is raised naturally by ethnic minority groups such as the Thai, Mong, and Dao. Northwest Black Pigs are characterized by their small size, short legs, and solid black or black mixed with white fur. Their meat is firm and has less fat than industrially raised pigs. The fat from this breed has a more fragrant flavor and is highly valued for its quality.

According to farmers in the Northwest region, a 50 kg black pig can yield 7-12 kg of fat, while a 100 kg pig can yield 15-25 kg of fat. However, due to the limited number of black pig farmers, the supply to the market remains restricted. This makes black pig fat not only expensive but also difficult to obtain.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the national pork production is estimated to reach 5 million tons in 2024, a 3.7% increase compared to 2023. Currently, in large farms, industrial pigs such as Landrace and Yorkshire (Large White) are commonly raised due to their rapid growth rate and high lean meat ratio.

Conversely, the black pig, also known as the Muong pig or Moi pig, is a native breed, a cross between wild and domestic pigs. This breed has a slow growth rate and is usually raised free-range. The meat of the black pig is firm, with thick skin and a delicious aroma. It is this unique farming method and its indigenous origin that makes the fat of the Northwest black pig a high-priced commodity, sought after by connoisseurs.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/mo-heo-den-tay-bac-dat-ngang-thit-thuong-hang-3349939.html