Lockdown slows down pig slaughters
CUMULATIVE pig slaughters for the second quarter of this year declined by 8% to 91 116 heads as compared to the same period last year due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 which disrupted the value chain.
In its latest market watch report, Livestock and Meat Advisory Council (Lmac) said the pork sector was subdued, with the period under review dominated by matters related to COVID-19 and disruptions occurred throughout the value chain.
“The supply of stockfeed was disrupted by travel restrictions which then compounded the challenges faced by pig producers because of increases in the cost of stockfeed,” the report read in part.
“The closure of restaurants, hotels and other catering services resulted in a significant decline in the demand for pork and pork products. Between April and June, disposable income was also under pressure from reduced economic activity.”
Zimbabwe has been under lockdown since March 30 this year.
Lmac said the slaughters for April of 12 773 head were severely affected by the first 21-day lockdown that was announced on March 30 2020, a decrease of 29% on the previous month.
Slaughters marginally increased by 2% in May before recovering by 42% in June.
For the quarter under review, porkers increased from 33 to 43%, baconers decreased from 29 to 18% and manufacturing as well as general purpose grades increased from 32 to 39%.
All provinces, with the exception of Mashonaland West, contributed 80% porkers and baconers.
Pig producer and wholesale prices for the second quarter registered significant increases as the producer price increased by 275%, compared to the end of first quarter while the wholesale price increased by 238%. “Cost pressures, particularly the price of stockfeed, were identified as the primary drivers for the increase in the costs of production,” Lmac said.
In real terms, the producer and wholesale prices increased between April and June 2020 by 43% and 28% from US$1,10 to US$1,57 per kg and by 28% $1,56 to US$2, respectively.
“The increases are off the back of a period where the pork prices had declined and the price adjustment is therefore an attempt by stakeholders in the value chain to bring in a measure of viability after some producers have exited because of feasibility concerns,” it said.