GROWING PUBLIC CONCERNS OVER ASF

[Anchor Lead]

The recent ban on swine transport and shipping has caused consumers to worry about a spike in pork prices. Although there hasn't been a noticeable spike in prices yet, butchers and meat distributors are concerned that the African swine fever crisis may go on for quite some time.

[Pkg]

A meat section of a large supermarket. The delicious smell from grilled pork belly draws shoppers to the sampling table. But some turn away from the refrigerated case while others hesitate before putting pork in their carts. They are stocking up on pork products, fearing a steep price hike due to shortage.

[Soundbite] KIM SUN-JA(SEOUL RESIDENT) : "Prices seem okay, but I'm going to buy some before the prices rise."

As of yesterday, the average retail price of refrigerated Korean pork belly reached 2,044 won per 100 grams. A moderate increase of 31 won compared to 16 days ago, before the outbreak of African swine fever. Large supermarket franchises generally have one or two weeks' worth of inventory, so there's still ample supply of pork. However, small butcher shops and restaurants are in emergency mode as they fear prolonged quarantine.

[Soundbite] (BUTCHER SHOP EMPLOYEE(VOICE MODIFIED)) : "Butcher shops don't have much in stockpile. All the meat was sold for the Chuseok holiday. The sudden outbreak hurts our business."

In addition to the disrupted pork supply, restaurants grow concerned over dwindling customers following the outbreak.

[Soundbite] AHN BYEONG-CHIL(RESTAURANT OWNER) : "Yesterday, customers fell to 1/5 of the usual level. Pork accounts for 20% of our revenue."

The government said there won't be any shortage of pork supply since across the nation, there are 13% more farmed pigs than in previous years. The agriculture ministry vowed to continue monitoring price fluctuations. Authorities assured the public that pigs infected with African swine fever do not make it to the market and pork poses no harm to humans when cooked thoroughly.