In an exercise verging on futility, Vietnam will import 20,000 breeding hogs from Thailand in an attempt to increase domestic production in the face of African swine fever [ASF]. It is estimated that six million hogs, or 20 percent of the National herd, has either died or been culled as a result of ASF.
In the absence of an effective vaccine and appropriate biosecurity, control of ASF is almost impossible. China has imported hogs to restock breeding farms only to have them succumb to ASF virus. Importing hogs at $600 each appears to be a gamble by Viet Nam with the odds in favor of nature. Subsequent events will confirm whether the $66 million intended expenditure to import 110,000 parent-level hogs, will ultimately provide benefits.