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Pork price bellies out
The price of pork in markets in Vientiane and the provinces rose further last week as a result of the continually rising cost of animal feed.
The price of pork in Vientiane rose from 33,000-35,000 kip per kg to 36,000-38,000 kip, according to a report from the Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department.
The sale price of pigs at farms has increased from 19,000 kip to 21,000 kip per kg, Vanith Farm owner Mr Khampho Thongmany told Vientiane Times yesterday.
The higher oil price in global markets has impacted transport costs in Laos and therefore the prices of many products.
Most animal feed used in Laos is imported from neighbouring countries, mostly Thailand, and is costing farmers more than ever before, Mr Khampho said.
One farmer, Mr Somdy, said the price of all types of animal feed, including pig, fish and chicken feed, has risen by about 2,600-3,000 kip (10-15 baht) per 30kg sack.
Pig feed no. 1 has increased from 147,400 to 160,000 kip per sack, no. 2 from 115,240 to 119,260 kip, and no. 3 from 109,880 to 113,900 kip, he said.
Due to high demand, some local traders are illegally importing pigs to sell at markets in cooperation with local authorities, Livestock and Fisheries Department Director General Dr Bounkhouang Khambounheuang said.
“As we know, if there is a lack of supply to meet demand the price of products will increase despite government control,” he said.
The blue ear disease outbreak in the middle of last year killed thousands of pigs in various districts of Vientiane, according to the department.
Some farmers have been unable to continue their businesses due to the lost profits incurred by the outbreak. To solve the problem, the government has proposed banks consider postponing loan payments, freeze interest payments and provide new loans to farmers affected by the outbreak, but as yet this has not occurred, a victim farmer in Hadxaifong district, Mr Phan Sorphabmixay, said.
“I have only 50 pigs left after the disease killed 237 of my stock between June and August,” he said.
Mr Phan calculated that he has lost more than 400 million kip due to the outbreak.
“If Laos could produce sufficient animal feed to meet local demand we could put an end to high-priced imports, which would help farmers to cut production costs,” Lao Agro-processing Association President Mr Phouvong Korrakan said.
Despite the rising pork price, beef has remained stable at 45,000 kip per kg in Vientiane since March.
vientiane times
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