May 11, 2011

Vietnam to halt pork imports despite high local prices

Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has proposed not to import more pork despite soaring local prices.

"The country can produce 3.3 million tonnes of live pigs in 2011, which can fully meet local consumption", reported local news.

There is no need for the country to import pork, said the ministry.

The price of live pigs still stands at a high level in Vietnam despite recent decreases. A ton of live pigs currently costs VND56 million (US$270,000) to VND57 million (US$280,000).

The high price of pork and other meat is a result of low supplies amidst widespread diseases such as foot-and-mouth and blue-ear in pigs and cattle, and bird flu in poultry.