December 27, 2019

Pork imports double in Vietnam due to African swine fever

The Ministry of Finance said Vietnam's pork imports more than doubled to 110,000 tonnes between January to November this year to supplement dwindling stocks caused by the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak, reported Reuters.

ASF has spread across all 63 provinces in the country, with six million swine (20% of the nation's total herd) culled and prices tripling since the disease was first discovered in February 2019.

According to a statement from the ministry's website, Vietnam's inflation rate is set to rise because of the rising pork prices, especially with the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays in late January next year.

The ministry added that Vietnam will still import pork, while at the same steadily resuming swine production as ASF is showing signs of slowing.

Vuong Dinh Hue, Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister said the government will prevent a pork shortage and maintain imports to supplement reduced supplies.

Traders said live swine prices in Vietnam have reached 100,000 VND (~US$4.32) per kilogramme from only 35,000 VND (US$1.52) in early 2019.

-      Reuters