Content available at:
On the morning of May 20, the 10th International Livestock, Dairy, Meat Processing and Aquaculture Exposition – ILDEX Vietnam 2026 – officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City.
Held alongside Horti & Agri Vietnam 2026, the event has attracted more than 230 companies from 25 countries and territories, showcasing new technologies and solutions in agriculture, livestock production, and food industries.
The year 2026 also marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand.
According to Wiraka Moodhitaporn, Consul General of Thailand in Ho Chi Minh City, the exhibition reflects the increasingly close cooperation between the two countries in agriculture and food industries.
Ms Wiraka noted that Thailand continues to prioritize agriculture and food as key sectors under its “Thailand 10 Plus” strategy, focusing on future food development alongside clean energy, smart electronics, and digital industries to drive sustainable economic growth.
Vietnam strengthens its position in the global livestock industry
According to the Thai representative, Vietnam is currently one of the most dynamic agricultural markets in the region.
In 2025, agriculture contributed approximately 11.6% of Vietnam’s GDP and provided livelihoods for millions of people.
Notably, Vietnam ranks first in ASEAN and sixth globally in pork production, accounting for around 3% of total global output.
Events such as ILDEX Vietnam are expected to help connect businesses, experts, and investors while promoting more sustainable agricultural development in Vietnam and the region.
This year’s edition also saw strong participation from companies from China, South Korea, North America, France, and the European Union (EU), highlighting the growing attractiveness of Vietnam’s agriculture and food market.
Livestock sector accelerates shift toward industrial production
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Phung Duc Tien, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, said Vietnam’s agricultural sector has achieved significant progress after more than 45 years of restructuring.
By the end of 2025, Vietnam recorded 43.5 million tons of food production and nearly 10 million tons of seafood output – the highest levels ever achieved.
Total agricultural export turnover exceeded USD 70.6 billion, generating a trade surplus of more than USD 21 billion.
In the first four months of 2026, agricultural exports continued to grow, reaching over USD 20 billion, up 5.8% year-on-year.
The livestock sector alone posted strong growth, with export value reaching USD 245 million, up 45.5%.
According to Phung Duc Tien, Vietnam’s livestock industry is rapidly transitioning from small-scale farming to industrial-scale production with greater adoption of high technology, aiming to achieve USD 1 billion in export value by 2027.
Green agriculture technologies and solutions highlighted
ILDEX Vietnam 2026 features comprehensive solutions across the livestock and aquaculture value chains, ranging from animal feed and farm technologies to biosecurity and environmental management solutions.
Major companies such as CP Vietnam introduced integrated 3F production models (Feed – Farm – Food), combined with ESG standards and digital transformation initiatives to improve operational efficiency.
In addition to the exhibition area, the event also hosts a series of specialized technical seminars organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and industry associations.
Discussions focus on green agriculture trends, innovation, and the application of science and technology in modern agricultural production.
Phung Duc Tien, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, and delegates visited exhibition booths at ILDEX Vietnam 2026. Photo: Valerie Nguyen.
The exhibition runs from May 20 to 22, 2026 at SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, and is expected to attract a large number of visitors, businesses, and experts from Vietnam and abroad.