News

Vietnam’s livestock industry is currently at a prime opportunity for transformation

Vietnam’s livestock industry has immense potential, thus attracting the attention of domestic and foreign investors’, said Mr. Pham Kim Dang, Deputy Director of the Department of Livestock Production (MARD).

Discuss the role and position of Vietnam’s livestock industry, Mr. Pham Kim Dang, Deputy Director of the Department of Livestock Production (MARD) said, it has been nearly 75 years since President Ho Chi Minh signed the decrees on livestock farming in 1950. From a fragmented and small-scale livestock sector with a self-sufficient mindset, Vietnam’s livestock industry has undergone a remarkable transformation. It now ensures the total food supply for over 100 million people and 10 million annual tourists.

Pham Kim Dang, Deputy Director of the Department of Livestock Production

Mr. Pham Kim Dang, Deputy Director of the Department of Livestock Production (MARD) said that, from a fragmented and small-scale livestock sector with a self-sufficient mindset, Vietnam’s livestock industry has undergone a remarkable transformation. Photo: Hong Tham.

Notably, the livestock industry has secured livelihoods for livestock farming households and ensured social security. Through this, it has contributed to the country’s economic development in recent years.

This transformation is evident in the shift towards livestock as a technical economic sector with a more concentrated and professional orientation within a well-developed legal framework, which is integrated with the region and global.

“Vietnam’s livestock industry is currently at a prime opportunity for transformation. First and foremost, the market potential is immense. Vietnam needs to provide food for nearly 100 million people, cater to 10 million tourists, and export certain foods that Vietnam has export advantages. This vast market potential has attracted significant interest from both domestic and foreign investors”, said Mr. Pham Kim Dang.

In fact, in recent years, Vietnam’s livestock products have not only met domestic demand, but have also been exported with a total export value of 515 million USD in 2023, an increase of 26.2% compared to 2022. Currently, more and more livestock products are expanding for export such as honey, suckling pigs, bird’s nest, salted duck eggs, milk and processed chicken meat…

The export value of livestock products in July 2024 is estimated at 47.4 million USD, bringing the total export value of livestock products in the first 7 months of 2024 to nearly 288 million USD, up 4.8% over the same period in 2023. Of which, the export of milk and dairy products reached 73.7 million USD, down 6.6%; the export of meat, meat by-products and edible by-products after animal slaughter reached 93.6 million USD, up 17%.

However, export of livestock products is not commensurate with domestic production capacity because livestock products in the integration period require meeting very strict technical standards.

In coming time, it is forecasted that Vietnam’s meat and meat product exports will continue to increase, with main export items still being frozen suckling pig, frozen pork, frozen chicken feet, frozen frog meat…

Secondly, Mr. Pham Kim Dang emphasized, we have a solid foundation of technical expertise, advanced technology, and management experience in the livestock industry. This achievement is largely attributed to our open-door policy and the attraction of foreign investment in recent years. As a result, major global livestock corporations have established their presence in Vietnam.

And thanks to that, Vietnam could rapidly adopt cutting-edge technologies worldwide. Moreover, Vietnam currently possesses a world-class livestock gene pool, along with a rich and diverse local livestock gene pool. This presents immense opportunities for the industry’s growth.

Thirdly, the livestock industry has continued solidifying its role and position in Vietnam’s economic development. It has gained significant recognition from the government and society, being considered a pillar of the economy and social security. Therefore, the livestock industry continues to receive substantial attention and support from the government, local authorities, and relevant ministries.

Fourthly, we are at a pivotal moment where we have a comprehensive policy framework and resources to transform the livestock industry. The Law on Animal Husbandry, passed in 2018 and enacted in 2020, provides a solid legal foundation. Vietnam has the Livestock Development Strategy for the period 2021 – 2030, with a vision towards 2045, along with five priority projects, which cover all sectors of the livestock industry.

Vietnam's livestock industry

The livestock industry has continued solidifying its role and position in Vietnam’s economic development. Photo: Hong Tham.

Moreover, the government has recently approved a decree to support livestock farming, particularly small and mid-sized farming. In addition, we have a new means of production that we did not have before. Taking advantage of the amendment of the Land Law in 2024, our sector has advised the government to include concentrated livestock farming in the revised law.

“In summary, Vietnam now has a clear and integrated policy framework. We have secured resources from various projects and policies. We have a clear strategy and direction. Additionally, we have access to land resources for livestock production. This creates the perfect opportunity for the livestock industry to transform and achieve significant growth sustainably”, emphasized Mr. Pham Kim Dang.

However, Mr. Pham Kim Dang, Deputy Director of the Livestock Department admitted that, besides opportunities, Vietnam’s livestock industry also faces many difficulties and challenges.

Hong Tham

Source: Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button