VN facing half a million tonne shortfall of pork

VIETNAM could have a shortfall of 500,000 tonnes of pork, or nearly 20 per cent of demand, in the period until the Lunar New Year early next year due to the effect of African swine flu (ASF), according to global research firm Ipsos Business Consulting.

In its assessment on Vietnam’s swine market supply and demand from July to early next year, the company said though demand was down since consumers had sometimes switched to other foods, the decrease in supply was much higher and so supply would not meet demand.

The disease had had significant consequences.

As of June 24 ASF had broken out in 60 of the country’s 63 provinces and cities, and more than 2.6 million pigs had to be culled, severely affecting the pork demand-supply balance.

The number of sows had decreased by 30 per cent from a year ago.

This was an opportunity for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline livestock plans while controlling environmental issues and minimising risks if diseases occurred in future.

It could also create a mechanism to closely monitor and control the pig industry.

The Chinese experience showed it would take one to two years to restructure pig farming, and Vietnam could lea rn from it to avoid unfortunate consequences.

The habit of consuming hot meat made chilled meat unpopular, and the hot meat supply chain was increasingly showing weaknesses.

The failure to inventory meat products was causing problems during a crisis, and authorities needed to create a cold supply chain to cope with the crisis and open up export opportunities.

Consumer concerns about the safety of locally produced pork had boosted demand for imported pork.

Pork imports from the US, Canada, Spain, Germany, Poland and France had rocketed in the past four months.

Pork prices would recover and increase in the future due to a supply shortage since most animal husbandry establishments were still afraid of ASF and did not dare replenish their sow herd.

The impact of ASF had increased demand for other meats such as chicken and beef.

With consumers becoming cautious about pork, brandname products with clear origins, guaranteed quality and safety were in increasing demand.

This was a factor in businesses in the pork supply chain investing heavily in branding and establishing reliable sales channels to create trust in consumers.