Procurement price of live hog over 80kg (Expressed in VND 1,000/kg)
	W1	W2	W3	W4
Dong Nai	32,000	34,500	34,500	36,000
Binh Duong	29,000	31,000	32,000	32,000
Can Tho	32,000	34,000	345,000	34,500
HCM	31,000	34,000	34,500	34,500
Hanoi	30,000	33,000	35,000	35,000
(VND1, 000 = US$0.044 as of Feb.)

 

 

 

In response to the current low pork prices, many locals prefer to deliver pigs to the supply chain of large enterprises, thus helping to mitigate difficulties of farmers and create a stable output. However, this is facing challenges due to pigs not meeting the requirements of the business.

 

A stable output would help farmers to minimise losses. In Dong Nai province, the live hog export to China resumes. At the peak, there are about 35 trucks transporting pigs through quarantine stations at a rate equivalent to over 5,000 pigs per day. Traders mainly collected live hogs from Dong Nai, and a few from the Mekong Delta provinces. However, trading is not stable as China is currently not open to Vietnamese pig exports.

 

Although traders are pushing the purchase of live hogs, especially overweight live hogs bound for export to China, hog prices rose slightly from the previous month. Live hog prices in Dong Nai ranged from VND 33,000 to VND 36,000 per kilo, an increase of VND 2,000 (US$ 0.09) to VND 4,000 (US$0.18) per kilo compared with the previous month.

 

According to the General Statistic Officer, the pig herd of the entire country in February increased from 4.5 to 5.2%, compared to same period of 2016.

 

 

 

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the local industry should diversify into different livestock, and not become too dependent on the development of industrial farming. 'Semi-industrial' livestock production, associated with traditional and organic farming, also requires further development.

 

Currently, swine numbers mostly meet domestic market needs and export quotas to China. However, there is room for expansion into other markets. Overdependence on one market has to be avoided, thus preventing oversupply and a resultant price drop of animals.