As Lunar New Year approaches, pork prices in Vietnam have surged to their highest levels in 2024, reaching 70,000 VND/kg.

Meanwhile, the influx of smuggled pork from neighboring countries like Cambodia has raised concerns over food safety and illegal practices.

Nguyen Van Toan, owner of a large pig farm in Hung Yen Province, reported that pork prices have peaked at 70,000 VND/kg due to limited supply. Farms like his have been cautious about restocking herds due to fears of African swine fever.

Since mid-December, live pork prices have risen steadily across the country, now ranging from 66,000 to 70,000 VND/kg.

Retail pork cuts, such as ribs and belly, have increased by 10,000–25,000 VND/kg, with prices reaching 120,000–220,000 VND/kg at local markets.

Smuggling of pork across borders

The disparity in pork prices between Vietnam and neighboring countries - 13,000–14,000 VND/kg higher in Vietnam - has spurred illegal imports of smuggled pork, some of which contains banned substances or comes from disease-affected regions.

In late December, authorities intercepted a shipment of 531 pigs smuggled from Cambodia without veterinary inspection or proper documentation, raising fears of disease outbreaks.

To combat this issue, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Phung Duc Tien, has issued directives to six border provinces, including An Giang and Long An, to tighten controls and penalize illegal pork trade.

Health and safety risks

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has warned that smuggled pork poses significant risks to public health and the livestock industry.

Illegally imported pigs may have been fed with banned substances like salbutamol, a growth promoter that can cause severe health issues in humans.

To address these risks, authorities are conducting rigorous inspections, including testing for banned substances in animal products at slaughterhouses.

Local governments are tasked with tracking livestock numbers, particularly in border areas, to identify unusual increases that might indicate smuggling.

They are also establishing special investigations to target individuals and organizations involved in illegal pork trade.

Nguyen Van Long, Director of the Department of Animal Health, emphasized close coordination between MARD, law enforcement, and local authorities to address the issue.

Enforcement efforts focus on preventing the spread of African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, and other serious animal illnesses.

Tam An