March 10, 2022

 

Hong Kong's pork supply set to return to normal as slaughterhouses reopen

 

 

The Hong Kong government said fresh pork supply is set to return to the city after COVID-19 outbreaks closed major slaughterhouses, resulting in low stocks and panic buying among consumers, South China Morning Post reported.

 

A Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department spokesman said the biggest abattoir, Sheung Shui slaughterhouse, had completed disinfection work and assembled workers that include support staff from the mainland.

 

Hui Wai-kin, head of the Pork Traders General Association said 2,500 to 2,7000 live swine will be supplied to Hong Kong. He said 3,300 swine were supplied daily before the fifth COVID-19 wave hit the city.

 

Hui said 70% of staff from slaughterhouses will be able to work after COVID-19 tests, which include butchers, suppliers, and drivers.

 

Up to 5,000 swine, 400 cattle, and 300 lambs are processed at the Sheung Shui facility daily, supplying 90% of Hong Kong's fresh pork.

The remaining 10% comes from a separate slaughterhouse in Tsuen Wan, which is currently operating at a limited capacity after it was forced to close due to a COVID-19 outbreak among its workers on February 26.

 

Ng Fung Hong, Hong Kong's sole beef distributor from mainland China, sent 38 butchers to the city last week.

 

The spokesman from the Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department spokesman said the support staff have attended training by Sheung Shui slaughterhouse operators to understand Hon Kong's procedures and methods, as well as occupational safety and health issues.

 

The butchers from the mainland will work at the Sheung Shui slaughterhouse for two months in a closed-loop operation.

 

Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's Chief Executive, urged Hong Kong residents not to panic buy food and daily necessities as supply as returned to normal with China's help.

 

-      South China Morning Post