Poultry consumption faces difficulties, farmers reduce flock size

Consumption halts, farmers reduce flock size. Many breeds cannot be released, farm owners are forced to keep them for commercial farming, while their barn area does not meet the requirements.

Although some restaurants and eateries in Tuyen Quang City are allowed to reopen, the demand is too little compared to the supply. Photo by: Dao Thanh.

Mr. Pham Van Thi's household, village 13, Minh Quang, Minh Huong commune, Ham Yen district (Tuyen Quang) raises the most ducks in the commune. Currently, his farm houses 4,000 poultry, including more than 2,500 Minh Huong fat ducks.

On average, he sells 2 litters each month, with 300 to 400 Minh Huong fat ducks each litter. In addition to restaurants in Tuyen Quang, his ducks have reached restaurants in Phu Tho, Hung Yen. But this year, the Covid-19 pandemic had made it difficult to sell ducks, as a result, the production is also difficult on his side.

Mr. Thi mentions that in the past years, from raising poultry, especially from Minh Huong's specialty fat duck, he earned about 300 million VND in profit. However, this year, the market halted, especially at the beginning of the year, some restaurants and eateries had to close down because of the pandemic, so demands lowered.

Presently, many ducks are mature enough to be sold but consumption is difficult due to the pandemic, so he must continue raising them. However, their adult age is running out, so the longer they stay, the more money they lose for rice bran and care. For Mr. Thi's family, this year's livestock production only breaks even, even if profit is made, it will not be significant.

Currently, the whole Minh Huong commune has 61,000 poultry, of which 15,000 are Minh Huong fat ducks. Compared to other livestock breeds, raising Minh Huong fat duck has given farmers outstanding economic efficiency. However, since the beginning of 2021, the total number of ducks has decreased from 30,000 to 15,000.

Mr. Trieu Van Binh, Chairman of Minh Huong Commune People's Committee, said that Minh Huong's fat duck has been recognized as a 3-star OCOP and recognized by the National Office of Intellectual Property (Ministry of Science and Technology). As the Covid-19 pandemic affect the consumption of products, causing a sharp decrease in the total flock size, the local authority has recommended people prepare resources so that when the pandemic passes, they are ready to restore the general development of the flock, raise the brand name and economic value of this specialty indigenous breed.

However, since the outbreak, his farm has really struggled. Many breeds cannot be released, so he is forced to keep them for commercial farming, while the barn area does not meet the requirements.

Mr. Tong Van Binh's household, village 5, Thai Binh commune, Yen Son district has been raising 400 sugarcane hybrid chickens. Owning to the good application of technical process by the staff at the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, the chickens grew quickly. After 75 days, the average chicken reached 1.5 kg each. The chickens are raised with biosecurity in mind, so consumption is favorable, at the price range of VND 65,000 - 70,000/kg, but since the Covid-19 pandemic, his family's chicken consumption has also slowed down.

From June 2021, several restaurants and eateries in Tuyen Quang City were allowed to operate again, the purchasing power of the market inched up. But local market demand is too low compared to the supply. Meanwhile, at the end of July, the pandemic continues to break out in many provinces and cities, restricting trade and travel, and limiting consumption markets.

Currently, Tuyen Quang province has nearly 7 million poultry. Compared to the same period in 2020, the number of poultry flocks did not decrease. However, at some livestock farms, the consumption of poultry is facing difficulties due to the complicated situation of Covid-19; entry and exit to provinces are strictly monitored.