Clarity for pig farmers and the industry

PigTalks Daily Insights

PigTalks is an independent pig industry publication and consultancy founded by Ha Thu

Ha Thu is a journalist and former editor of Asian Pork Magazine with over 12 years of experience in the pig industry. She has been fortunate to have spoken with the most influential people in the industry, visiting farms, feedmills, and meat processing plants.

She has developed a clear helicopter view of the industry and in-depth insights into most of the pig-producing areas in Asia.

Besides her understanding of the industry, Thu has built an extensive network that spans all geographies and all levels of the pig industry’s value chain. 

Most of Pigtalks publications (market insights, farm stories, leader opinions, and technical sharings) are open-access. Pigtalks also offers detailed data sets of the companies driving the pig industry in Vietnam at different levels of the value chain and provides a range of consultancy services.   

Inside The Business Model

Pork profits: targeting the right customers for better prices

July 11, 2025

Despite the challenges posed by inflation, which has dampened overall pork demand, a medium-sized farm in northern Vietnam has remarkably managed to flourish. Their strategy? They’ve shifted focus to market segments that remain less impacted by inflation—catering specifically to higher-income and middle-class consumers.

  • How a Vietnamese retailer captures value from a pork carcass

    Looking beyond pig production For decades, discussions about pig production have focused on what happens before a pig reaches the slaughterhouse. Better genetics, improved nutrition, disease control and farm management all aim to produce a healthier, more efficient animal. Yet the commercial journey of a pig does not end when it leaves the farm. The…

Market Map

  • Market Pulse | Vietnam’s pig market enters a cautious transition

    Vietnam’s pig market is entering the second half of 2026 from an unusual position. Pig supply remains relatively comfortable and live pig prices have fallen considerably from their earlier highs. Yet some of the signals further upstream are beginning to point in another direction. Piglet prices have weakened. Independent producers are increasingly cautious about restocking. African swine fever (ASF) has intensified in several parts of the country. Industry contacts report that…

Knowledge Notes

Technology That Matters

  • Nuôi nái nhóm – Hiểu heo để tăng hiệu quả mô hình  

    Tiến sĩ Jennifer Brown đã phát biểu tại Hội nghị của Gestal về Heo 2022 về việc nuôi tập thể ảnh hưởng đến sức khỏe, năng suất và phúc lợi của heo nái như thế nào. Bà giải thích rằng mô hình nuôi theo nhóm có một số tác động quan trọng đến sức khỏe…

Leadership Perspective

Meet our experts

Dr Megan Edwards
 Nutritionist 
Integral Nutrition, Singapore

Dr Edwards serves a broad-spectrum client base, including farmers, integrators, feed suppliers, and feed additive companies. She is also involved in commercial research and technical training.

Dr John Carr 
Consulting Veterinary Practitioner
Worldwide

Dr Carr is a well-known consultant in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa. He specializes in maintaining the health of pigs through promoting excellence in stockmanship and production practices. He is also the author of the veterinary textbook ‘Pig Health’. 

David Dang 
Project Manager
Vietnam 

David Dang is an architect specializing in farm design for the agricultural sector. With extensive experience in large-scale projects, he has become a trusted advisor to investors in heavy industries like energy, transportation, and steel.