Will the price of live pigs increase dramatically at the end of the year?

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment made such comments in its report on the situation of production, market and import-export of agricultural, forestry and fishery products in October and the first 10 months of this year.

Pig prices decrease and bran prices increase, reducing farmers' profits

According to the Ministry, in October, agricultural, forestry and fishery production took place in more favorable weather conditions than in previous years.

Pig herds in many localities grew rapidly as farmers restored, expanded production, and promoted herd regeneration after the impact of the epidemic last year.

The corporate sector and large-scale farms continue to maintain and expand herds by proactively sourcing seeds and feed, applying closed breeding processes and biosecurity measures, and preparing supply for consumer demand in the last months of the year.

By the end of October, the country's total pig herd increased by more than 5% compared to the previous year, reaching about 32 million heads (including parent pigs).

However, live pig prices tend to decrease due to reduced purchasing power, while animal feed prices and input costs remain high, reducing farmers' profits, so the farming sector is still cautious in restocking.

Specifically, compared to September 2026, the price of live pigs in the North decreased by 9,600 VND/kg to 50,000 - 51,000 VND/kg, the Central - Central Highlands decreased by 9,600 VND/kg, fluctuating between 47,000 - 52,000 VND/kg, the South decreased by 8,600 VND/kg, down to 48,000 - 48,000 VND/kg. 52,000 VND/kg.

After a period of deep decline to around 45,000 VND/kg - the lowest in the past 6 years, since the beginning of November, pork prices in regions across the country have tended to increase again.

On November 4, the price of live pigs at the largest pig market in the North in Ha Nam (Ninh Binh) increased to between 45,000 - 53,000 VND/kg, an increase of about 2,000 - 5,000 VND/kg compared to the lowest time, depending on the ugly, common or beautiful type.

Abundant supply means pig prices are unlikely to increase dramatically at the end of this year

Talking to Tuoi Tre, Mr. Duong Tat Thang, Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, said that besides the abundant supply of pigs, the reason pork prices have decreased in recent times may be due to consumers' reservations related to the use of banned substances and food safety.

According to Mr. Thang, with a total herd of about 32 million pigs, by the end of this year and Lunar New Year 2027, the supply of pork will be abundant, no need to worry about shortage, and the price will depend on the market.

The Ministry believes that in the coming time, it is likely that pork prices will continue to move sideways or fluctuate in a narrow range because supply and demand are relatively balanced.

It is forecast that by the end of 2026, live pig prices are unlikely to increase suddenly because consumption demand and supply remain stable.

The Ministry also said that poultry farming is growing quite well thanks to relatively stable demand for meat and eggs. Farmers proactively expand their scale and increase herds to meet market demand at the end of the year. The total poultry herd in the country at the end of October 2026 is about 612 million.

However, the purchasing price of colored broiler chickens increased and decreased differently in the three regions. The North decreased by 22,800 VND/kg to 52,000 VND/kg, the Central increased by 5,000 VND/kg, currently at 47,000 VND/kg, and the South increased by 4,300 VND/kg to 48,000 VND/kg.

Meanwhile, industrial chicken prices are tending to increase. The North increased by 5,000 VND/kg to 37,000 VND/kg, the Central increased by 5,000 VND/kg to 34,000 VND/kg, the South increased by 3,000 VND/kg, currently at 32,000 VND/kg.

"Chicken meat prices are likely to increase slightly or remain stable at a fairly low level, and will be difficult to increase strongly because the country's total poultry population continues to remain high, the amount of cheap imported chicken meat is still abundant, while people's purchasing power has not really made a strong breakthrough" - the Ministry forecasts.

Many animal feed businesses increased selling prices for the 7th time this year

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, from the beginning of October 2026, many animal feed manufacturing enterprises such as Cargill, De Heus, ViNaFeed Mien Bac, Haid Hai Duong, Viet Phuong Ha Nam... adjusted to increase the selling price of animal feed with a common increase of 300 - 400 VND/kg, depending on the business and product group.

This is the 7th price increase in 2026 for many businesses, showing that input cost pressure is continuing to impact animal feed prices.

Prices increased because the global animal feed raw material market continued to fluctuate, while input material prices increased, significantly affecting production costs.

The price adjustment is to maintain product quality, stabilize supply and ensure production activities in the future.