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The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, said today (January 28) that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has learned that the Central Government has taken contingency measures with a view to minimising the impact on food supply to Hong Kong brought by the heavy snowfalls on the Mainland.
"On behalf of the members of the public in Hong Kong, I would like to thank the support given by the Central Government.
"The HKSAR Government will closely monitor the supply situation and maintain close contact with the relevant Mainland authorities, local suppliers and importers in a bid to stabilise the food supply for Hong Kong.
"I also give my regards to people in various provinces affected by the heavy snowfalls," Dr Chow said.
The Government noted that the supply of meat, vegetables, fish and eggs has been partially disrupted by the heavy snowfalls. Coupling with the cold weather and the advent of the Lunar New Year, there is a surge in demand for such food items, which in turn leads to an increase in price.
The number of live pigs arriving at slaughter houses today is 3935, with 3407 imported from the Mainland and 528 from local farms. The wholesale price for live pigs ranges from $1,250 to $2,360 per 100 catties, with an average price at $1,832, a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said.
As explained by live pig agents, some live pigs could not be transported to Hong Kong as scheduled due to continuous heavy snow on the Mainland. Some 150 pig transportation trucks are stranded at highways leading to Guangdong Province. Hence, the actual supply today is fewer than estimated.
Since the inclement weather is expected to last for a period of time, the transportation of live pigs will still encounter some difficulties. However, the three live pig agents will continue to do their best to make alternative arrangements and try to source pigs from Guangdong Province and other areas less affected by snowfalls with a view to supplying live pigs to the market, the spokesman said.
According to the information provided by the Special Commissioner's Office in Guangzhou, Ministry of Commerce, as affected by the bad weather, the estimated number of live pigs to be imported from the Mainland for tomorrow (January 29) will be 3500. Together with about 300 live pigs from local farms, the total number of live pigs to be transported to slaughter houses tomorrow is about 3800.
The spokesman added that announcing the estimated live pig supply for the following day could enhance information flow and transparency of the market. Members of the public and traders could better understand the overall supply of live pigs.
Noting that the estimated figures only served as an indicator, the spokesman said the actual supply should be adjusted in accordance with market demand.
Ends/Monday, January 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:28
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