Pork prices stabilize after reports of flu-infected pigs

SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Yonhap) -- Pork prices have rebounded after falling last week in
the wake of an outbreak of type-A influenza at local pig farms, the country's
agriculture ministry said Monday.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries last Monday reported
the first cases of new flu-infected pigs in the country. The price of pork
dropped around 5 percent the following day to 3,982 won (US$3.39) per kilogram.
Prices hit a low of 3,933 won before recovering to previous levels of around
4,200 won toward the end of the week.
"Demand for pork slows during the winter and there is a growing awareness among
consumers that flu-infected pigs are not a threat to health," a ministry official
said.
Last April, the price of a single pig at local farms plunged 25.3 percent over
four business days amid the onset of the new flu strain, then known as swine
influenza.
ecuedy@yna.co.kr
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