In face of Vietnam’s current pork shortage for domestic consumption, Vietnam would step up measures to prevent illegal export of pork, at the same time tighten pork import from Thailand and Cambodia, according to Do Thang Hai, deputy minister of Industry and Trade.

Illustrative photo.

“These two markets are not included in the 24 countries and territories having agreement with Vietnam on importing pork, posing risks of not meeting food safety standards and bringing diseases into the country,” Hai said at a monthly government press briefing on December 2.

A potential surge of pork prices not only affects people’s lives, but also the consumer price index (CPI) and economic stability, said Hai. He mentioned pork prices in China increased 100% year-on-year in September and October, adding one percentage point of the Chinese CPI.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) plans to ensure sufficient pork supply from Vietnam’s contracted partners from now on until the Lunar New Year, the biggest festive occasion of the year, and afterwards, Hai stressed.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said Vietnam could face pork shortage of 200,000 tons in the remaining months of 2019, while the country imported 54,000 tons of pork in the first 10 months of 2019.

In a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue on November 18, Tien informed from February to November 15, the African swine fever led to the culling of nearly 5.88 millions of pigs or some 337,000 tons of pork, accounting for over 8.8% of the total pig weight nationwide.

According to Tien, the average price of live hog in the country had risen to VND60,000 - 67,000 (US$2.6 – 2.9) per kilogram, and to VND75,000 – 80,000 (US$3.3 – 3.5) in some localities, due to the shortage of pork supply.

Data from the General Statistics Office (GSO) showed pork price increased 19% year-on-year as of present, leading to a likely expansion of the consumer price index (CPI) by 0.8 – 1% in November.

In case of a further increase of 10 – 15% in pork prices, to VND80,000 (US$3.45) per kilogram, the overall CPI is estimated to expand an additional 0.5 – 0.7%, taking the average expansion of CPI of 2019 to below 3% year-on-year and under the government's 4% target.