Pork is being sold for 70,000 kip to 75,000 kip a kg in the markets of Vientiane.

Authorities take action to reduce pork prices

Authorities in Vientiane have announced that pork will be sold at two places at a price lower than the market rates as part of efforts to control high prices and to protect the interests of consumers.
The first location is the agricultural market in Nonghay village of Hadxaifong district, or behind the Vientiane Agriculture and Forestry Department, and the second site is an outlet of the Vientiane Foodstuff Enterprise in Sihom village of Chanthabouly district, according to a statement from Vientiane’s Industry and Commerce Department.
Pork will be sold at these two places from 8 am to 5 pm between August 5 and November 5, and the price will be 55,000 kip per kg of grade A pork and 50,000 kip per kg for grade B pork.
The department has directed the Vientiane Foodstuff Enterprise to work in cooperation with entrepreneurs from the agricultural market, pig breeders and slaughterhouses to implement this scheme.
Pork prices have quickly risen to 65,000 kip to 70,000 kip per kg at fresh markets and supermarkets across Vientiane and other provinces, impacting local consumers.
The prices have risen because the capital cost of rearing animals has increased, especially the prices of animal feed and transportation fees.
At the same time, high inflation and the rising cost of living have meant producers face higher costs as well, the Director of the Vientiane Agriculture and Forestry Department, Dr Larsay Nouanthasing, told the media recently.
Economic recovery following the easing of Covid-19 measures, including the reopening of restaurants, domestic tourism sites and other activities, has meant production has not kept pace with demand, he said.
The Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and sanctions by the US and the European Union on Russia have resulted in high inflation rates and an increase in food prices in countries around the world. 
The Lao government has struggled to cope with the rise in prices of goods, inflation and the weak Lao kip.
Dr Lasay said that at the height of the pandemic, many farms in Laos had discontinued raising pigs, resulting in lower production capacity, while some farms relocated their production base to other provinces due to variability in regulatory compliance.
“More than 18,000 tonnes of pork, or 284,000 pigs, were consumed in 2021, while demand is expected to reach 19,000 tonnes or 294,000 pigs in 2022. However, only around 16,000 tonnes or 245,000 pigs will be available locally,” he said.
“Authorities are attempting to find a solution to the problem of high pork costs by focusing on implementing measures such as forming farming cooperatives, increasing the number of sows to 3,000, and restoring pig farms, while the government must have specific policies, such as supporting animal feed factories to increase production capacity,” Dr Larsay added.
There are currently a total of 188 pig farms in Vientiane, but 33 have suspended operations amid economic difficulties, leaving 155 farms and 126,000 pigs available.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update August 8, 2022)