Outbreaks of African Swine Fever–or ASF–have been reported in multiple provinces and have been ravaging pork supplies pushing up pork prices.
Of note, VietnamNet has reported that the local pig herd is currently around 31 million animals, referencing data from the Department of Animal Husbandry. (This is actually up from around 28.1 million pigs in 2018 pre-ASF). However, the publication also goes on to quote a representative of the Management Board of Ha Nam Livestock and Poultry Wholesale Market as saying that the pigs in the province making it to market are only a fifth of what is normal. The representative goes on to say that this is being caused by an outbreak of ASF.
Lao Dong is also reporting multiple outbreaks of ASF in Ha Tinh province some 300 kilometers south of Ha Nam. The publication goes on to note that this has resulted in the culling of about 318 pigs in the province.
This is significant in that previous outbreaks have seen import tariffs relaxed to shore up the local supply.
See also: How African Swine Fever is Reshaping Vietnam’s Pork Market