Food suppliers in dilemma over chicken trading
Food suppliers in HCM City and Hanoi have found themselves in mixed confusion over chicken trading, fearing that consumers will still shun fowl meat despite the prime minister’s policy to allow sale of sale food at certain supermarkets and trade centres. Saigon Coop said it would resume fowl meat trading at its 12 supermarkets from the central province of Binh Dinh southward if local authorities can recommend safe supplies.
Nguyen Thi Tranh, deputy general director of Saigon Coop, said this HCM City-based trade cooperatives union intended to resume chicken trading to support the city’s policy to this regard and due to the fact that there is demand now. Tranh said once central authorities and HCM City give the nod to chicken trading, it means the bird flu has been put under control and safe supply is secured.
On the same side is Metro Cash & Carry Vietnam, which said it would resume fowl trading at its wholesale centres in HCM City and Hanoi if the chain is selected by local governments to resume chicken trading.
An executive of Metro Cash & Carry Vietnam said the company would secure supply of quarantined food for big restaurants and hotels. However, apart from the two giants Saigon Coop and Metro Cash & Carry Vietnam, other food suppliers have been hesitant over the matter.
Nguyen Thu Huong responsible for sales at Lang Ha Supermarket in Hanoi said it would not immediately buy chicken for sale and that more time was needed to survey the reaction of customers. “We know it is impossible to sell chicken now as customers are still in panic. Furthermore, chicken only makes up a small part of our sales and people are not much interested in this food now,” said Luong Mai Hang form the sales department of Elmaco Supermarket in Hanoi.
Many other traders also keep a “wait and see” attitude.
In related news, Vietnam Manufacturing Export Processing Co Ltd (VMEP) on February 20 provided Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with US$30,000 to prevent the bird flu and develop the flock of breeder fowls.
Category: Business
