What do you think about the reduced price of pork?

Vientiane authorities have arranged for pork to be sold at the set price of 55,000 kip per kilogram, in a bid to cap rising food prices. Pork will be on sale at this price at only two locations - the agriculture market in Nonghai village, Hadxaifong district, and the food state enterprise shop in Sihom village, Chanthabouly district. This price will be valid from August 5 until November 5. Vientiane Times asked some local residents for their thoughts on this scheme.

Ms Bounpany Mingmixay, a resident of Naxaithong district: It’s good news that pork will be on sale at these places for less than what it costs in general markets. Today I bought pork for 68,000 kip per kilogramme at the small market in my village. I would like the authorities to regulate the price of pork in all markets because most people eat more pork than any other type of meat. It would also help people save money to spend on other food items such as fruit and vegetables.
 
Mr Khampheuy Phanchantha, a resident of Xaythany district: I’m pleased that the authorities are showing some consideration for consumers. I hope that this special price will be applied to many markets, because putting pork on sale at this price in only two locations is nothing like enough to meet public demand. I live in Xaythany district so if I want to buy pork for 55,000 kip I will have to drive about 25 km to get to one of these places. I think I’d spend more on petrol than I would buying pork at the normal price in my village. I also think officials should take steps to regulate the price of all products and it would be good if the government can do something concrete to tackle the problem of rising prices. The authorities should carry out checks on vendors in all markets to make sure they’re not putting up prices arbitrarily. The best thing would be to sell pork at this special price throughout the country, as this would help cut costs for everyone.
 
Ms Chansone Moungkhounlerd, an employee in Xaysettha district: The price of pork on sale in markets has been rising every month, with some vendors in small markets selling it for 70,000 kip per kilogramme. I’m glad that the authorities have arranged for pork to be sold at a set price of 55,000 kip, but I think doing so at only two places is not nearly enough to meet demand. They should sell pork cheaply at a lot more other places during these times of financial hardship. It would also be good if the price of other food items could be reduced, because most prices are way out of line with the salaries earned by government employees. And all goods on sale should be of better quality.
 
Mr Vone, a government official in Chanthabouly district: I think it’s a good idea to sell pork at this set price, as it will be a boon to people on low incomes. I also think the government should lower the taxes paid on imported animal feed, medicines, seeds, and petrol, to help farmers cut production costs. If these costs were lowered, I feel sure that the price of pork would fall accordingly. These days it’s not just consumers who are faced with high prices, but farmers, producers and manufacturers of all kinds are having to deal with spiralling production costs. 

By Lamphone Pasanthong
(Latest Update August 8, 2022)