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In Vietnam, at a press conference held on April 24 to announce ILDEX Vietnam 2026, industry experts warned that the poultry sector is facing a severe economic squeeze, with soaring input costs and sharply declining output prices.
Feed costs “skyrocket”
According to Nguyen Thanh Son, Chairman of the Vietnam Poultry Association, feed prices have risen by 10-14% compared to the beginning of the year due to fluctuations in imported raw material costs.
- Outlook: If geopolitical tensions in the Middle East persist, price increases could reach 20-25% this year.
- Challenge: Feed currently accounts for 60-70% of total production costs, weakening the competitiveness of domestic products due to heavy reliance on imported inputs.
Paradox of oversupply
Despite rising production costs, poultry product prices remain very low due to excess supply:
- Eggs: Farm-gate prices are only around USD 0.05-0.06 per egg, while production costs reach approximately USD 0.06 per egg, resulting in significant losses for farmers.
- Chicken meat: Prices continue to decline amid sluggish domestic demand.
Mr Son emphasized that producers should avoid expanding flocks at this time.
Instead, they should focus on product diversification (such as processed products and ready-to-eat eggs) to tap into export opportunities and increase added value.
Strategic outlook for 2026-2030
Pham Kim Dang, Deputy Director General of the Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, noted that Vietnam holds a strong position globally (ranking fifth in total pig population and second in waterfowl).
To ensure sustainable development, the sector will prioritize several key areas:
- Reorganizing centralized slaughter systems: Meeting international standards on animal welfare and traceability.
- Input self-sufficiency: Developing solutions to improve domestic feed supply and applying advanced technologies.
Positive figures: In Q1 2026, Vietnam’s livestock product exports reached USD 198 million, marking a strong increase of over 54% year-on-year.