Pig farming is profitable but farmers are afraid to re-herd

Pigs sell for high prices

In 2023 and 2024, the price of live pigs in the Mekong Delta region was at many times only 48,000-50,000 VND/kg. At such a price, selling each pig weighing around 100kg, many pig farmers lost at least 500,000-700,000 VND. However, in the past 3 months, many pig farmers in the Mekong Delta region have sold live pigs at quite high prices, from 73,000-82,000 VND/kg. Accordingly, pig farmers can earn a few million VND when selling each pig weighing around 100kg.

Pig farming at a household in Binh Thuy district, Can Tho city.

Mr. Luu Minh Bao in Truong Lac ward, O Mon district, Can Tho city is raising 50 pigs for meat and 7 parent pigs for breeding production, said: "In previous years, pigs were sold for 50,000-51,000 VND/kg, many pig farmers suffered heavy losses, especially those who had to buy piglets and feed them entirely with industrial feed. I am very happy that in recent months, piglet prices have increased, helping many pig farmers achieve quite good profits. With the price of pigs at around 73,000-74,000 VND/kg, if they produce piglets themselves, pig farmers can earn up to 3 million VND/pig, and households who have to buy piglets can also earn 1.5-2 million VND because piglets were cheap before."

After a long period of low prices, the price of live pigs has continuously increased in the last months of 2024 and the first 3 months of 2025. Notably, in March 2025, live pigs in many localities in the Mekong Delta reached prices of up to 80,000-82,000 VND/kg. This price is about 14,000-15,000 VND/kg higher than at the beginning of 2025 and 31,000-32,000 VND/kg higher than at the beginning of 2024. In April and May 2025, the price of live pigs decreased again but in general, it is still very high compared to the same period in previous years. On May 7, 2025, the price of live pigs sold by many pig farmers in Can Tho City and provinces in the Mekong Delta was 73,000-74,000 VND/kg, equivalent to 7.3-7.4 million VND/quintal. This price is 11,000-12,000 VND/kg higher than the same period in 2024. The price of live pigs increased due to a decrease in supply because recently many households raising pigs on a household scale have reduced their pig farming, or even stopped raising pigs because the price of live pigs is low. On the other hand, many pig farming enterprises and cooperatives have also reduced the number of pigs to limit losses due to low prices and risks caused by diseases. In recent months, the high demand for pork in many places has also created conditions for the price of live pigs to recover. In addition, the increase in live pig prices is also due to the impact of increased input costs for farming. Many businesses and supermarkets have increased sales of domestic pork products and reduced imports of frozen pork, which has also helped domestic pork sell at high prices.

Pig farming is still risky

Pigs are sold at high prices, pig farmers achieve high profits, and people are very excited. However, most pig farmers currently do not dare to increase their herd restoration. In fact, many households that previously raised pigs in large numbers and had available barns continue to "hang up their barns" or only raise a limited number of pigs. The reason is fear of unfavorable fluctuations in pig prices in the future and fear of losses due to epidemics, especially when African swine fever and many other diseases in pigs are still complicated.

After a period of loss in pig raising, many households are now facing difficulties in capital when they want to increase the number of pigs. In addition, the cost of pig raising has increased compared to before due to the high price of piglets, along with the high price of animal feed and many other types of input materials for pig raising. Currently, the price of piglets (pigs) in many places is from 2.5 to 3 million VND/pig (12-15 kg/pig). Mr. Tran Van Vinh, residing in Dong Loi Hamlet, Dong Hiep Commune, Co Do District, Can Tho City, said: "With the current high prices of piglets, animal feed and many input costs for pig farming, in the future, to raise a pig weighing 100kg, farmers will have to spend up to 6.5 million VND, or even more, of which the cost of piglets and feed accounts for nearly 6 million VND. Therefore, pig farmers not only face difficulties in terms of investment capital when they want to increase their herds, but also face the risk of heavy losses if the price of live pigs drops sharply again like in previous years. Currently, pig farming is also prone to risks due to various diseases, so most people are reluctant to re-herd."

Mr. Tran Thanh Son, Head of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station of O Mon District, Can Tho City, said: "The price of live pigs is high, but recently, people in the district have not dared to re-herd much, especially households raising pigs on a small scale. Because the cost of raising pigs at small households is high, people do not make much profit even though the price of live pigs has increased compared to previous years. On the other hand, small-scale pig farming often does not ensure good conditions for safe bio-security and disease safety, so the risk of disease is high, so people do not dare to re-herd much". According to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Agriculture and Environment of Can Tho City, as of April 2025, the city had a total herd of 128,171 pigs, exceeding the plan by 0.1% and decreasing by 0.3% over the same period.

To reduce the cost of raising pigs and minimize risks, many households and businesses have been interested in applying large-scale, modern farming models and forms, ensuring biosafety and disease safety. At the same time, they proactively produce breeds or cooperate with places that produce breeds and feed to have a source of breeds and feed that ensures quality and reasonable prices. However, due to many input factors being at high levels and product output prices not being stable, people and businesses are still facing many difficulties in developing pig farming. This may affect the supply of live pigs in the future. Therefore, the relevant authorities need to pay attention to supporting pig farmers to overcome difficulties, especially solutions to reduce the price of breeds and feed. Timely support in terms of capital, application of scientific and technical advances and good models and practices for high-efficiency farming and reducing risks caused by epidemics. Support pig farmers in linking production and product consumption to stabilize output at appropriate prices, ensuring harmony of interests of relevant parties.

Article and photos: KHANH TRUNG

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/nuoi-heo-dat-muc-loi-cao-nhung-nguoi-nuoi-ngai-tai-dan-a186321.html