The prices of chicken meat from Tam Hoang and free-range chickens sold at farms have increased to VND30,000-31,000 (US$1.5) a kilogramme, up VND4,000-5,000 against early this month. However, the prices were said to be lower than production costs. — Photo tapchidoanhnghiep

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — The price of poultry in southern Viet Nam continues to rise following a decline in outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza nationwide.

In the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Long An, the price of eggs sold at farms increased by VND1,100-1,300 each against last week.

The prices of chicken meat from Tam Hoang and free-range chickens sold at farms have increased to VND30,000-31,000 (US$1.5) a kilogramme, up VND4,000-5,000 against early this month. However, the prices were said to be lower than production costs.

Traders are now buying more poultry products. In HCM City, the sale of poultry eggs increased in the last few days. According to the Ba Huan Company Ltd, one of the city's largest egg dealers, supplies have risen by 20 per cent in less than a month.

Collective kitchens at industrial parks and schools have also resumed buying eggs.

To meet the demand for safe products, HCM City has asked the neighbouring provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Long An, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Tay Ninh to supply safe poultry products.

Only certified slaughterhouses are being allowed to supply poultry products to the city, according to Phan Xuan Thao, head of the city's sub-department of Animal Health.

Nguyen Phuoc Trung, director of the city's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the department was working with agencies to foster consumer confidence. This included using labels showing where chickens were bred and slaughtered.

Despite the revival of the industry, the city's Department of Industry and Trade said there would be a shortage of eggs and chicken meat from June.This was because the quantity of poultry had fallen significantly because of the impact of disease.

To help ensure supplies of poultry products, soft loans to buy and store poultry are being provided for firms participating in the city's price stabilisation programme.

Each day, the city buys more than 42,700 chickens, 12,100 ducks and 1,200 quail from neighbouring provinces. —VNS