Vietnam spends nearly $2.6 billion on meat and dairy imports

Vietnam spends nearly $2.6 billion on meat and dairy imports

Vietnam imported nearly $2.6 billion worth of livestock products in the first seven months of the year, up almost 23 per cent on-year, as consumers increasingly favour foreign goods that are cheaper than domestic alternatives.

According to a newly released report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, import value in July alone was estimated at close to $400 million.

Dairy products posted the sharpest growth, reaching more than $860 million, while meat and post-slaughter by-products accounted for over $1 billion. The surge was driven largely by rising domestic demand, especially as volatile feed prices pushed local meat costs to levels that are hard to compete with imports.

The Southeastern Livestock Association said that high production costs at home stem from dependence on imported feed ingredients and small-scale farming, while deeper market integration has made it easier for foreign products to reach Vietnamese consumers.

"Against this backdrop, the domestic livestock sector is being forced to adapt by improving productivity, upgrading processes, and diversifying product lines," a representative of the Southeastern Livestock Association said.

However, the association also stressed that for competition to be truly fair, tighter control over imported meat quality is essential. This is particularly important given that African swine fever remains present, raising the risk of substandard meat entering the market if oversight is lacking.

VIR