"We don't have any designated supplier [in Hong Kong]. This is a control on exports, not on our imports. Hong Kong cannot control the mainland's export mechanism," Tsang told the Legislative Council. "As to the supplier's inability to cope with local demand, we will liaise with the central government. It's reasonable to ask the mainland if there can be more supply methods."

Tsang said Thursday his top concern is to stabilize supplies and prices of pork, which is a "nationwide concern."

The current shortage of fresh pork forced Ng Fung Hong - the city's sole pork supplier - to delay bidding at the Sheung Shui and Tsuen Wan slaughterhouse until 3pm Wednesday.

The delay resulted in each buyer being allocated only 14 to 16 pigs. This caused a surge in pork prices, which hit HK$1,200 per 100 kilograms, compared with the normal HK$900.

According to Ng Fung Hong, the limited supply of livestock has been caused by recent fluctuations in live pig prices in the mainland.

Mok Yiu-nam, chairman of the Yuen Long Fresh Meat United Association, said the shortage was due to a poor harvest in the mainland, partly because of water pollution and poor quality feed, coupled with an outbreak of a contagious disease known as blue ear.