The Unexpected Luxury: Wild Boar Meat Now Affordable at Under 100,000 VND/kg

Wild boar meat has always been considered a luxury due to its limited supply, typically costing twice as much as regular pork. However, recently, online communities and markets have been flooded with advertisements for surprisingly cheap wild boar meat, priced at just VND 95,000 – 120,000 per kg, even lower than the price of regular pork.

The account N.M. advertises: ”

This is crossbred wild boar meat, fresh and delicious, slaughtered on the same day. After thorough cleaning and processing, it is vacuum-packed in 1 kg bags. The color of the crossbred wild boar bacon is white, with a very low fat percentage and thin skin… It has a very flavorful taste, with plenty of lean meat and less fat, not dry and tough like farm-raised pork.”

Despite this, the selling price of this wild boar meat is only VND 95,000 per kg.

The attractive pricing, coupled with eye-catching images and enticing descriptions of free-range, firm-fleshed, and crispy-skinned boar meat, has drawn many consumers to place orders. Many even believed they had snagged a rare and incredible bargain.

However, long-time wild boar farmers assert that the price of wild boar meat cannot be this low. Wild boars raised in a semi-wild manner primarily feed on cereals, earthworms, cinnamon, and herbal plants, resulting in higher production costs compared to farm-raised pigs. Consequently, the market price of wild boar meat is typically higher than that of other types of pork.

Ms. Nguyen Hoang Hac, owner of a crossbred wild boar farm in Thuan Bac (Binh Thuan), shared that it is implausible for crossbred wild boar meat raised in a semi-natural manner to be priced below VND 100,000 per kg. “

The price of our farm’s wild boar meat at the time of leaving the farm is already VND 160,000 per kg. Therefore, after the meat is processed and ready for sale, it will definitely not be below VND 200,000 per kg
,” she said.

According to Ms. Hac, crossbred wild boars raised in a semi-natural environment take a full year to reach maturity before they can be sold. At that point, their weight is only around 20-25 kg each, requiring significantly more time and effort to raise compared to farm-raised pigs. Moreover, if farm-raised pigs are purchased at a hook price of about VND 65,000 per kg, their market price will already exceed VND 100,000 per kg. Therefore, it is unusual for wild boar meat to be priced below VND 100,000 per kg.

She speculated that these might be pigs that have passed their reproductive prime, resulting in tougher and more pungent meat. To conceal the inferior quality, traders may scorch the meat to create a golden appearance that appeals to buyers.

Some other pig farm owners shared similar concerns, suggesting that this meat could be from cold storage facilities and then released into the market, or it might simply be regular pork mislabeled as wild boar to fetch a higher price. Therefore, consumers should be cautious and vigilant when purchasing, opting for reputable sources that can provide clear documentation of the meat’s origin.

Genuine wild boar meat is typically deep red in color, with firm flesh, thick skin, and a thin layer of fat. The extended rearing period and low yield make it unlikely to be inexpensive. Extremely low prices compared to the market often indicate compromised quality.