Vietnam produces about 6.5 million tons of poultry and 17 billion eggs annually but the majority is for domestic consumption.

This was revealed at an online forum connecting supply and demand chains for poultry and eggs in the southern region on December 8.

Vietnam has earned just $361 million from exporting poultry and eggs this year while spending some $3 billion importing livestock products.

On average, a Vietnamese person consumes between 55-57kg of meat and 130-135 eggs a year, equal to 70-80 per cent of consumption in Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea, said Mr. Dinh Viet Tu from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)’s Department of Agricultural Products Processing and Market Development.

According to Mr. Tu, Vietnam produces a total of 6.5 million tons of poultry and 17 billion eggs annually, most of which is for domestic consumption.

“Among the 26 importers of Vietnam’s poultry and eggs, the largest are Hong Kong (China), mainland China, Japan, and South Korea,” he said. “Exports in 2022 are estimated at $361 million.”

“We have big groups and enterprises specialized in producing and distributing meat and eggs, gradually forming a supply chain and improving production and value. However, the majority of meat and eggs produced are for domestics use.”

Mr. Do Huu Phuong from the southern branch of MARD’s Department of Livestock Production said the domestic livestock industry still has a lot of room for development as it has a large domestic consumer market.

“Enterprises should limit their imports of frozen poultry and pork, as domestic supply is huge,” he said, adding that the retail price should be reduced to boost demand and that products should be fully processed to ensure reserves, diversifying the supply while stabilizing the market.