New source: Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow tells reporters that opening up the import market will help ensure the stable supply of live pigs.

Hong Kong and Mainland authorities have agreed to open the live Mainland pig import market to one more agent, Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow says.

He told reporters today that currently Ng Fung Hong is the agent for live Mainland pig imports. After extensive discussion with the Ministry of Commerce both sides agreed to introduce Guangnan Hong as Hong Kong's second agent.

Dr Chow said the move was prompted by the recent shortage in live pig supply. The move will ensure the supply and quality of live pigs to Hong Kong, and a third agent is being considered to enable local business people to invest and compete with the other two agents. However, opening up the market does not have a direct relation with the wholesale price.

Local pig farmers are welcome to invest and open pig farms on the Mainland. But they have to fulfil Mainland requirements on food safety, bio-security and environmental protection.

About 3,960 live Mainland pigs were brought to Hong Kong on Wednesday. With the local live pigs, the overall supply was 4,700. The average wholesale price per kilogram ranged from $19.1 to $19.2. The price in early July was $16.8 to $17.4.

At 5.30pm yesterday the number of live Mainland pigs supplied to Hong Kong was about 3,930 with 580 local ones. The total live pig supply amounted to about 4,510.