May 15, 2020

Vietnam will import 20,000 breeding swine from Thailand

According to Vietnam state media, the move is aimed at rebuilding the country's swine herd which was decimated due to African swine fever (ASF), reported Reuters.

About six million swine or 20% of Vietnam's total swine herd has been culled since ASF was first discovered on February 2019. Prices for swine surged to record levels and has added pressure on the country's inflation levels.

Phung Duc Tien, Vietnam's Deputy Agriculture Minister said 250 breeding swine have already been imported from Thailand, which are projected to produce piglets by end-2020.

These imported breeding swine cost VND 13 million to VND 15 million (~US$556.8 to US$642.4; VND 1000 = US$0.043) per swine.

The report also mentioned that major local swine producers have applied to import as many as 110,000 breeding swine this year.

The Vietnam government said the country's inflation could hit 4.22% in 2020 if pork prices were to be reduced. The meat makes up three quarters of the country's consumption.

-      Reuters