VN to import 20,000 pigs from Thailand

VGP – Viet Nam will import 20,000 breeding pigs from Thailand this year, as the country is seeking to rebuild its hog herd battered by an African swine-fever outbreak.

May 22, 2020 4:31 PM GMT+7

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First detected in February 2019, the outbreak has forced the culling of around six million pigs, or 20% of Viet Nam's pig herd, resulting in higher pork prices and putting upward pressure on inflation.

While not harmful to humans, the African swine fever is deadly to pigs, with no available vaccine.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said this was the first shipment of 20,000 pigs to be imported from Thailand this year.

Tien said that domestic piglet prices are currently very high, from VND2.8 million (US$120) to more than VND3 million (US$128.6) each, however many localities have failed to meet farmers’ demands.

The government said in March that Viet Nam's inflation could be at 4.22% this year if pork prices can be cut in the country, where pork accounts for three-quarters of meat consumption.

By Hoang Ha