China to tap pork reserves as swine fever hits industry
Published: 19 September 2019, 2:57:19
Beijing has slaughtered more than 1 million pigs in a bid to contain the incurable pig virus.
The highly contagious disease is not dangerous to humans, but has hit China’s crucial pig-farming industry and driven up costs for consumers.
Pork prices jumped 46.7% in August on a year earlier, official figures showed.
In a bid to stabilise prices, a state-backed group that manages the pork reserves will auction imported frozen pork from countries including Denmark, France, the US and UK.
Only 300 tonnes will be sold to each bidder at the auction.Pork is used widely in Chinese festivals, and the auction comes as the country prepares to celebrate a week-long national holiday for the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.
