The central government is taking steps to prevent a further decline in the price of pork, which has been falling since May.

The Price Supervision Center of the National Development and Reform Commission shows that the average wholesale price for pork in 36 cities was 10.3 yuan per kilogram on June 24th. But once stabilizing measures were introduced by the government, the price rose by just over six percent. The price of piglets and pork fat also increased by a small margin.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Commerce both say Chinese pork producers raised 453 million pigs by the end of May, while pigs kept for breeding reached nearly 49 million.

The NDRC says that although prices have improved a little, supply will continue to outstrip demand in the near future. Pork producers are being asked to adjust production to return the balance of supply and demand to normal as soon as possible.

(CCTV July 3, 2009)