Estimated live pig supply
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    The number of live pigs arriving at slaughterhouses today (March 12) is 4,081, with 3,625 being imported from the Mainland and 456 from local farms.  The wholesale price for live pigs ranges from $1,400 to $1,999 per 100 catties, with an average price of $1,713, a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said.

    According to the information provided by the Special Commissioner's Office in Guangzhou, Ministry of Commerce, an estimated 3,800 live pigs will be imported from the Mainland for tomorrow (March 13).  There will be a supply of about 100 live pigs from local farms tomorrow, taking the total number of live pigs available for auction tomorrow to about 3,900.

    The spokesman said that announcing the estimated live pig supply for the following day could enhance information flow and transparency of the market. 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/Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:19

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