Government announces latest situation of fresh food supply from Mainland
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According to the latest information, the quantity of vegetables supplied from the Mainland to Hong Kong yesterday (as of midnight) by land and water transportation was about 2 100 tonnes, comparable to the average daily supply from the Mainland on a normal day. The volume of vegetables supplied from the Mainland to Hong Kong sold through the wholesale markets of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Vegetable Marketing Organization yesterday was about 724 tonnes. The average wholesale prices per catty for choi sum and pak choi stood at $10.00 and $6.40 respectively. The supply of eggs to the wholesale market remained steady, with the average daily supply standing at about 3.2 million for the past week, largely comparable to the average daily supply on a normal day.
About 3 000 live pigs and 26 tonnes of chilled meat were supplied from the Mainland yesterday. The supply of chilled poultry from the Mainland was about 80 000 head and about 6 000 live chickens were slaughtered locally.
Regarding the rice supply, in compliance with the requirement of the Government, stockholders of rice have to maintain the reserve stock of rice at a level sufficient for consumption by the local population for 15 days. The trade generally stocks double the required amount, which is sufficient for one month's consumption by Hong Kong citizens. In recent years, the import and consumption of rice in Hong Kong has stood at a steady level of around 320 000 to 330 000 tonnes per year. The import quantity (including reserve stock) as of end-January 2022 was 30 400 tonnes. Suppliers also maintain a reserve for food that can be stored, such as frozen meat, for around three months' stock generally.
To reduce the risk of epidemic transmission while ensuring a stable supply of fresh produce to Hong Kong, starting from 0.00am yesterday, all cross-boundary goods vehicles after entering Shenzhen must pick up their consignments at the designated transfer yards. To tie in with the above-mentioned arrangement, the operating hours of the Man Kam To Boundary Control Point are extended to 7am to 3am the next day. The Government maintains liaison with the Mainland authorities and major food suppliers to ensure a stable food supply.
The AFCD updates and publishes the fresh food supply information daily. Members of the public may visit the AFCD website for updates on daily supplies and wholesale prices of fresh food (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/agriculture/agr_fresh/agr_fresh.html).
Ends/Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Issued at HKT 12:30
Issued at HKT 12:30
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