Live hog prices plunge, leaving farmers facing losses

Live hog prices in Ha Tinh have fallen to just 44,000–46,000 dong per kilogram, while feed and disease-prevention costs remain high, leaving many farms and livestock-raising households facing losses.

About a week ago, Thang Loi Cooperative in Tien Dien Commune sold more than 60 market hogs at 43,000 VND/kg. This is a low price that is not enough to cover production costs, leaving the cooperative’s livestock operations facing considerable difficulties. Thang Loi Cooperative recently sold more than 60 market hogs at 43,000 VND/kg. Nguyen Thi Nghia, director of Thang Loi Cooperative, said: “The cooperative currently maintains a herd of around 1,000 pigs, including sows, piglets and market hogs. While animal feed prices continue to rise, live hog prices have fallen, forcing the cooperative to absorb losses to keep production going. At current input costs, live hog prices would need to reach around 53,000–55,000 VND/kg for the cooperative to break even. Although selling prices have fallen, we still have to make every effort to maintain all disease-prevention measures and ensure the safety of the herd. In about 10 days, the cooperative will sell another batch, and we hope prices ...