*************************
The number of live pigs arriving at slaughterhouses today (January 16) was 4,866, with 4,672 imported from the Mainland and 194 from local farms. The wholesale price for live pigs ranged from $930 to $1,266 per 100 catties, with an average price of $1,089, 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, the estimated number of live pigs to be imported from the Mainland for tomorrow (January 17) will be 4,800. With a supply of about 100 live pigs from local farms, the total number of live pigs available for auction tomorrow will be about 4,900.
The spokesman said 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 served only as an indicator, the spokesman said the actual supply should be adjusted in accordance with market demand.
Ends/Friday, January 16, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:00
NNNN