Due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, millions of pigs on farms in Dong Nai province are 'stuck' and cannot be sold.

On July 18, Mr. Nguyen Tri Cong, Chairman of the Dong Nai Province Livestock Association, said that the COVID-19 epidemic is currently complicated, causing millions of pigs in Dong Nai to be 'stuck' and cannot be sold.

A pig farm in Dong Nai province.

Dong Nai is one of the localities with the largest livestock industry in the country, with a total herd of about 2.4 million pigs and a total herd of about 23.7 million chickens, enough to supply the needs of the province and neighboring provinces such as Binh Duong, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, etc.

According to statistics from the Department of Industry and Trade of Dong Nai province, the total consumption of pigs from the province exported to other provinces and cities is on average 51,300 pigs, fluctuating around 44,000 - 60,000 pigs/week depending on the time. Equivalent to the consumption of 7,300 pigs/day, accounting for more than 80% of the total consumption of pigs in Dong Nai province.

Of which, the total amount of pigs from Dong Nai province exported to Ho Chi Minh City accounts for about 50%, the remaining 30% is exported to neighboring provinces such as Ba Ria Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong and the Western provinces.

“Due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, pig buying and selling activities have almost stagnated. Small private farms and households have suffered heavy losses because they cannot find outlets. Meanwhile, pork prices have increased due to the temporary suspension of operations at wholesale markets in Ho Chi Minh City. This has created an imbalance when prices at the production site fall but prices at the consumer end remain high,” said Mr. Cong.

According to Mr. Cong, the Dong Nai Province Livestock Association has sent a document to the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Industry and Trade and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dong Nai Province. The Association proposed to open a pork distribution and consumption point at 518, Quarter 3, Tan Hiep Ward, Bien Hoa City. The source of pork is from livestock farms in the province.

To ensure safety in disease prevention, this location is currently preparing equipment that meets food safety and hygiene standards. The open space, about 100m2 in area right on the front of Dong Khoi Street (Bien Hoa City), used to be the sales point of the Dong Nai Province Livestock Association), is convenient for distribution.

"Opening a pork store in Bien Hoa City is to both support the "rescue" of pork consumption for farmers and help consumers have a place to buy meat at a reasonable price. The Association commits that sales staff will be tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, sell at the right price, ensure security and order and strictly comply with epidemic prevention and control measures," Mr. Cong added.