A Government spokesman announced today (March 3) that the supply of fresh food from the Mainland yesterday (March 2) remained stable. Members of public need not over-purchase.
According to the latest information, the quantity of vegetables supplied from the Mainland to Hong Kong yesterday (as of midnight) by land and water transportation was slightly higher than the average daily vegetable supply from the Mainland of the previous year, standing at about 2,400 tonnes. The volume of vegetables sold through the wholesale markets of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Vegetable Marketing Organization yesterday was about 859 tonnes. The average wholesale prices per catty for choi sum and pak choi stood at $11.2 and $9.5 respectively, and the overall wholesale price of vegetables was comparable to that of the previous day. The supply of eggs to the wholesale market is steady and abundant, with the average daily supply standing at about 4 million for the past week.
The total supply of chilled meat from the Mainland yesterday was maintained at a level higher than a normal day and stood at about 100 tonnes, some 1.9 times Hong Kong's daily average supply from the Mainland. As for live pigs, the operator of the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse is actively preparing for the early resumption of slaughtering service while the Tsuen Wan Slaughterhouse continues to provide service according to its operational circumstances.
The supply of chilled poultry yesterday continued to increase to over 160,000 pieces, over 80 per cent of that of a normal day. Around 9,000 live chickens were slaughtered locally yesterday, about 80 per cent of the average daily supply of the previous year.
Regarding the rice supply, in compliance with the requirement of the Government, stockholders of rice have to maintain the reserve stock of rice at a level sufficient for consumption by the local population for 15 days. The trade generally stocks double the required amount, which is sufficient for one month's consumption by Hong Kong citizens. In recent years, the import and consumption of rice in Hong Kong stands at a steady level of around 320,000 to 330,000 tonnes per year. The import quantity (including reserve stock) as of end-January 2022 was 30,400 tonnes. Suppliers also maintain a reserve for food that can be stored, such as frozen meat, for around three months' stock generally.
The Government keeps monitoring the food supply situation closely, and liaises with major food suppliers and the Mainland authorities to ensure a stable food supply.
The AFCD updates and publishes the fresh food supply information daily. Members of the public may visit the AFCD website for updates on daily supplies and wholesale prices of fresh food (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/agriculture/agr_fresh/agr_fresh.html).
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