Press Releases
FHB's response on fresh beef price and supply
In response to media enquiries on public's concern over the rising price of
fresh beef, a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau today (December 16)
said that the Government would conduct a market survey to get a better
understanding of the factors contributing to the price surge, including the
role of the live cattle wholesale market.
In view of the surge of fresh beef price, the Secretary for Food and Health
recently met with representatives of the trade and other stakeholders to
learn more about the operation of the live cattle market and the trade's
concerns. They also exchanged views on feasible ways to stabilise the supply
and price of live cattle.
According to information available, the price surge of fresh beef was mainly
due to the tight supply and upsurge in the demand of live cattle in the
Mainland. In the past year, it was noted that fresh beef price in the
Mainland and Hong Kong both registered considerable increase. While the
rates of increase in the wholesale price of live cattle in both places were
comparable, the retail price of fresh beef in the Mainland showed a more
remarkable increase than that in Hong Kong.
In view of the suggestion by some quarters for opening up the live cattle
wholesale market and to facilitate the Government to better understand the
market situation, the Government will conduct a market survey to compare the
price, quality and costs of fresh beef in Hong Kong and nearby Mainland
cities. The findings will also provide more objective data which would
facilitate the Government's consideration on the way forward with the live
cattle market.
The spokesman stressed that the government attaches high importance to the
issue and it has been the Government's policy to maintain a stable and
adequate supply of foodstuffs while ensuring the food safety.
Ends/Sunday, December 16, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:25
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