Wet market meat traders yesterday stepped up their attacks on ParknShop and Wellcome for refusing to end a pork price war, describing the supermarkets as heartless.
As the merchants lifted a boycott on sales of fresh pork, the supermarket giants continued to sell fresh pork at $19 a catty, a day after traders urged the supermarkets to scrap the low prices which they fear will drive them out of business.
The president of the Hong Kong Shou Yee Tong Meat Merchants' Association, Hui Wai-kin, said: 'It goes without saying they are heartless. We have to see how the incident plays out in the coming weeks before considering what we will do.'
Mr Hui called on the supermarkets on Monday to increase prices for the sake of wet market retailers, who are now selling pork at about $24 a catty. The two chains insisted they would stick with the price cuts.
The row started when the supermarkets cut pork prices by 30 per cent last Friday.
Traders boycotted the SAR's sole pork wholesaler, Ng Fung Hong, by refusing to buy its meat on Sunday. They later blockaded slaughterhouses to stop the two chains receiving supplies, leading to Monday's supply shortage.
Although sales at wet market stalls were back to normal yesterday, traders and retailers still harboured ill-feeling towards the supermarkets. Quarry Bay stall-holder Mr Lam said: 'I'm disappointed at the ruthless strategy of the supermarkets.'