Government announces latest situation of fresh food supply from Mainland

     A Government spokesman announced today (March 8) that the supply of fresh food from the Mainland yesterday (March 7) was stable. Members of public need not over-purchase supplies.

     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 about 2 000 tonnes, about 85 per cent of the average daily supplies from the Mainland on a normal day. 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 767 tonnes. The average wholesale prices per catty for choi sum and pak choi stood at $8.8 and $8.0 respectively. The supply of eggs to the wholesale market remained 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 that of a normal day and stood at about 62 tonnes, some 1.2 times Hong Kong's daily average supply from the Mainland. As for live pigs, the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse has resumed service since yesterday, while the Tsuen Wan Slaughterhouse continues to provide service according to its operational circumstances. The live pig supply is expected to return to a normal level today.

     The supply of chilled poultry yesterday was about 110 000 pieces while around 9 800 live chickens were slaughtered locally yesterday. The supply was generally stable.

     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).