Vietnam’s poultry boom continues into 2026

Colored chicken rebounds as pork alternative

After a challenging start to the year, colored chicken production rebounded in H2 2025. Many consumers shifted from pork to poultry due to food safety concerns, boosting demand for chicken meat.

Exports to Cambodia also supported the recovery and growth of colored chicken flocks.

Layer and duck segments ride the demand wave

Laying hens and meat ducks benefited from similar trends.

Strong domestic demand and steady exports to Cambodia kept prices strong throughout Q3 2025.

Broiler breeder imports surge

In Q3 2025, Vietnam saw a sharp rise in imports of broiler parent stock, which jumped nearly 20% year-on-year. In contrast, layer breeding stock imports grew only 1–2%.

Record white broiler DOC output

White broiler DOC output in Q3 2025 rose over 5% from the previous quarter and nearly 18% year-on-year.

For the nine-month period, white broiler DOC output increased by 17%, marking a record high.

Live white broiler slaughter volume in Q3 2025 was up more than 20% year-on-year, bringing total nine-month growth to 14%.

Imports slow as global prices rise

Despite reduced tariffs, chicken meat imports slowed in Q3 2025 due to higher global prices and exchange rates.

Overall, chicken meat imports in the first nine months of 2025 increased only about 8% compared to the previous year.

Export demand lifts prices

Exports to Cambodia surged in Q3 2025, helping white broiler prices recover after falling below production cost levels in late Q2 2025.

Average Q3 2025 prices rose 5% from the previous quarter and were roughly equal to those in Q3 2024.

White broiler DOC prices also climbed, supported by robust export activity.

Colored chicken prices spurs restocking

After slow growth early in the year, colored chicken DOC production accelerated from late Q2 2025 onward as both meat and chick prices rose.

In Q3 2025, colored chicken prices increased nearly 20% quarter-on-quarter and 30% year-on-year.

On average, prices rose 5% over the first nine months of 2025, with breeding chick prices up 10% due to strong restocking demand.

Cambodia border closure fuels export boom

When Cambodia temporarily closed its border with Thailand in July 2025, Vietnam’s broiler DOC exports to Cambodia soared.

By September 2025, Vietnam had exported about 15 million broiler DOCs, more than double its exports from the year before.

Meanwhile, between June and September 2025, exports of white broilers and colored chickens to Cambodia rose to 4 million and 2 million, respectively, driven by favorable price differentials.

Q4 2025 outlook and 2026 forecast

Chicken prices remain high, ensuring good profitability and encouraging restocking ahead of the year-end consumption season.

DOC and live chicken exports to Cambodia continue to perform well, though meat exports may ease as Cambodia rebuilds its flocks.

Many companies have secured breeding orders through end-2025 and into 2026. Even if Cambodia resumes trade with Thailand, Vietnam is expected to remain a key supplier due to its reliability.

Low feed prices continue to support the poultry sector. Other key factors to monitor include:

• Decree 70/2025/NĐ-CP on invoices and documentation (effective June 1, 2025).
• New VAT Law (effective July 1, 2025).
• Impacts of the ongoing trade war on imported chicken prices.

DOC output in Q4 2025 is expected to rise 4-5% quarter-on-quarter and over 20% year-on-year.

Full-year 2025 summary:

• White broiler DOC output: +~20%
• Colored DOC output: +~7%
• Total live chicken supply: +~10%

Thanks to strong exports during Q3 and Q4, oversupply is not expected in the domestic market. In 2026, poultry supply will likely keep rising to meet growing demand, especially as ASF continues to limit pork production.