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The number of live pigs arriving at slaughterhouses today (March 8) is 3286, with 2772 imported from the Mainland and 514 from local farms. The wholesale price for live pigs ranges from $1191 to $1999 per 100 catties, with an average price at $1628, a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said.
The spokesman said it was learnt from the live pig agents that some live pigs could not arrive at Hong Kong on time due to vehicle breakdown, leading to a supply lower than expected.
According to the information provided by the Special Commissioner's Office in Guangzhou, Ministry of Commerce, the estimated number of live pigs to be imported from the Mainland for tomorrow (March 9) will be 3900. There will be a supply of some 100 live pigs from local farms tomorrow. Thus, the total number of live pigs available for auction tomorrow will be about 4000.
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/Saturday, March 8, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:47
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