Chinese traders buy up pigs
Chinese traders buy up pigs
The exports of large numbers of pigs through the northern border have caused pork prices in northern provinces to rise by VND5,000 per kilo, while the heavy buying of female ducks by Chinese traders in the Mekong Delta has pushed up duck prices by VND10,000 per bird.
The massive purchase of pigs at farms have forced pork prices up in the north, and threatens to cause a shortage of pork during Tet next month.
Nguyen Van Trong, deputy head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Department of Husbandry, said because of the abundant supply pork, it sells for only VND40,000 - 43,000 per kilo in the local market. Meanwhile Chinese traders are willing to pay up to VND50,000.
The purchase of "overweight" pigs for the Chinese market is helping farmers earn some profits since mid-November 2013, but has taken the price of pork on the hoof to VND50,000 per kilo.
He said that until recently pork only fetched VND38,000 - 40,000, and, occasionally, even VND36,000, far below production cost – of VND40,000 - 42,000 per kilo, causing farmers to suffer losses.
According to the department, the Chinese market is "erratic" and could stop buying at any moment, meaning farmers raising the extra-fat pigs could lose badly since demand for them is not high in Viet Nam.
The department said pork prices are likely to increase by 5–10 per cent during Tet due to the rising demand.
To ensure adequate supply then, relevant agencies should carefully monitor the market and take timely action, it said.
A similar situation faces farmers in the Mekong City of Can Tho, with Chinese traders flocking to O Mon District to buy female ducks and willing to pay VND50,000-60,000 for each.
After other unusual purchases in the past – like buffalo and cow hooves, leeches, yellow snails, and obese pigs – Chinese traders have now turned to female ducks, Truong Van Phu, deputy head of business at the O Mon People's Committee, said.
This has forced duck prices up in most districts of Can Tho.
Following an inspection last week which found a slaughterhouse preparing to sell some 14,000 packed ducks to China, O Mon authorities warned farmers to be careful about selling female ducks in large numbers.
vietnamnews
