Pork Supply to Wholesale Markets Plummets

Live pig supplies in Northern and Southern Vietnam have plummeted by 50-60% compared to pre-Lunar New Year levels. Traders report significant difficulties in procuring pigs that meet standard weight requirements, despite high prices. In Dong Nai province, a trader who once collected hundreds of pigs daily now manages only a few dozen. The situation in the North has been worsened by Typhoon Yagi, hindering farmers from restocking after the natural disaster. Ha Nam's wholesale market reports a 60% drop in daily supply. The ongoing spread of African swine fever and increased demand from Southern traders have further strained supplies. Hoc Mon wholesale market, the largest in the South, received a significantly reduced number of pigs compared to earlier in the week and before Tet. Even large-scale producers like C.P. Vietnam Livestock Corporation have seen a substantial decrease in their daily slaughter numbers, with average pig weights also declining. The shortage has driven traders to source pigs from the South Central region. Industry experts attribute the decline to high holiday demand, increased piglet prices, and disease outbreaks, making farmers hesitant to restock. While some predict stabilization through company regulatory plans, the long-term impact of disease, natural disasters, and farmers switching to other agricultural sectors remains a concern.