HCMC faces daily shortage of 10,000 pigs

The shortages of eggs and vegetables are expected to be solved in the next few days, a working group of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development stated Wednesday.

A working group of the Ministry of Industry and Trade has facilitated supply of pigs raised in the southern province of Dong Nai to Ho Chi Minh City. Between 7,000-8,000 pigs would be supplied each day, partly meeting the city’s demand for fresh pork.

Total supply of fresh groceries, to HCMC and other localities hit by Covid-19 is sufficient, but partial shortages, which result in higher prices of groceries, occur from time to time in some places in the city, according to the two working groups.

Reasons behind the partial shortages include food producers having difficulties in implementing the stay-at-work mode during Covid-19 outbreaks, and slaughterhouses facing shortages of workers who live in locked-down or quarantined areas. Besides, meat-carrying vehicles have to go through many checkpoints along routes to HCMC.

HCMC’s three wholesale markets of Binh Dien, Thu Duc and Hoc Mon, along with many traditional markets remain closed to prevent Covid-19 from spreading. When operational, these markets meet over 70 percent of the city’s demand for agricultural products.

Over the past three days, the two working groups have collaborated with relevant city agencies as well as goods producers and distributors to ensure supply for HCMC and other localities stricken by the pandemic.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai said the ministry would closely coordinate with ministries, sectors and localities to speed up transport of essential goods to the southern region.

The agriculture ministry’s working group said it would continue to connect with cooperatives and businesses to re-establish agricultural product supply chains in affected cities and provinces.