June 21, 2012

Vietnam sees to boost meat imports in second half

In order to meet the local demand, Vietnam is expected to augment its meat imports in the second half of this year, the state media reported Tuesday (June 19).

The local supply of meat will be reduced sharply due to reoccurrence of diseases and halted production, the Viet Nam newspaper said.

Currently blue ear hits six northern provinces Dien Bien, Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh, Lai Chau, Hoa Binh and Lang Son, and two southern provinces of Bac Lieu and Dong Nai. It threatens to expand further in other provinces.

So far this year, the disease has infested 33,700 pigs, of which 21,700 were buried, up 128% and 53% on year, respectively.

Due to frequent occurrence of animal diseases, increasing prices of animal feed and the price drop of meat in the local market, many animal breeders have fallen in losses and they have been forced to scale down or give up their production, the newspaper said.

The government General Statistics Office reported that as of May 31, Vietnam has 26.7 million of pigs and 310.7 million of poultry, up 1.5% and 5.8% on year.

The country was also reported to have 5.3 million of cows and 2.7 million of buffalos, down 7% and 5.1% from the same period last year.

In 2011, Vietnam imported 107,000 tonnes of meat, rising 30.5% from 2010.