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China stockpiles frozen pork to stabilize prices

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-15 20:20

BEIJING - China's economic planner said Monday the government has started stockpiling frozen pork to stabilize prices and protect pig breeders.

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The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said an oversupply of live pigs would last for some time, and it advised pig breeders to reduce the sows and piglets on hand.

To avoid bringing down market prices, the stockpile price should not be lower than the average wholesale price in the area, said an NDRC official.

China's pork prices fell 32 percent in May on oversupply and concerns that the A(H1N1) influenza virus was connected with pigs, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.