Vietnam’s Pig‑pocalypse: 2.5+ Million Pigs Off the Menu
Ever heard the phrase every pig in Vietnam has gone poof? Well, that’s almost the truth. On Tuesday (June 18), an agricultural ministry whistle‑blower told Reuters that the country has culled over 2.5 million swine to stop the spread of African swine fever (ASF) – an outbreak that’s creeping toward every single province.
Where Does the Virus Reside?
The tiny, deadly bug first appeared in February, and by now it’s been spotted in farms across 58 of 63 provinces (thanks Nguyen Van Long, epidemiology chief). A second senior official—who asked to stay under the radar—intensely warned that all 63 provinces are next on the docket.
National‑Emergency? Not Yet.
FAO told Vietnam in March to declare ASF a national emergency. But Long shrugged it off: “We’ll hold off because the virus is safe for humans and doesn’t threaten national security.”
Pork: The King of Vietnamese Meat
Pork isn’t just a dinner choice; it’s a food bucket‑load for a 95‑million‑strong population. Shrugs – 30 million farm‑raised pigs are nibbled down locally, meaning that any big shake‑up in pig numbers could have a domino effect on how much people pay for a steak.
Military & Police Force to the Rescue?
Last month, authorities rallied the military and police to fight the disease. Above all, they urged locals to don’t ditch pork – because folks love a good belly of beef, and so do Vietnamese.
Financial & Economic Footprint
The pork industry is worth a staggering ~94 trillion dong (roughly S$5.5 B) and represents ~10% of Vietnam’s agri‑sector. Can Van Luc, an economist at Vietnam’s Bank for Investment and Development, weighed in: “The outbreak hasn’t hit the economy hard yet. Maybe pork prices creep up toward year’s end, but it’s not going to catapult inflation.”
Beyond Vietnam: China’s Pork Panic
Remember that August blast of ASF in China – the world’s largest pork producer? There, the disease could wipe out up to 200 million pigs this year. Vietnam’s tally might look small by comparison, but the ripple effects across Asia are enormous.
So, while Vietnam’s swine crisis is under intense control, keep an eye on the pork aisle; you never know when a whaling wave will hit your grocery list.
