30 Apr 2026

Vietnam poultry sector struggles as costs climb

Since March 2026, many companies have raised animal feed prices, further driving up poultry production costs.

Valerie Nguyen

aviNews Asia

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Tiếng Việt

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Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

Entering Q2 2026, Vietnam’s chicken and duck markets remain under significant pressure. Input costs continue to climb while demand shows little sign of recovery. This situation leaves the poultry sector “caught in a vise,” posing substantial risks for producers.

Input cost pressures continue to mount

The Vietnam Poultry Association no1tes that prolonged Middle East tensions are pushing up prices of imported feed ingredients such as corn, soybeans. Feed remains a critical cost component, accounting for approximately 70% of total production costs.

Since March 2026, many companies have raised feed prices by approximately USD 0.008–0.012/kg. This has further driven up production costs, placing considerable strain on farmers’ profit margins.

Chicken prices to hold steady or edge higher

Despite rising costs, chicken prices are expected to remain firm or edge higher in Q2. White broiler chicken currently trades at USD 1.2–1.28/kg, while free-range chicken ranges between USD 2–2.4/kg.

If feed costs rise further, live chicken prices could rise by 3–5%. However, any upward movement will depend heavily on market demand, which has yet to recover.

Duck more volatile

In contrast, the duck market is expected to be more volatile. Shorter production cycles and easier flock expansion encourage farmers to switch to duck farming when chicken prices rise. This shift could lead to rapid flock expansion and localized oversupply in certain areas.

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Duck prices in Q2 2026 are projected to fluctuate between USD 1.40–1.68/kg. However, oversupply could quickly push prices down if consumption fails to keep pace.

Navigating uncertainty

Amid these uncertainties, the Vietnam Poultry Association advises farmers to carefully consider restocking decisions and avoid rapid, large-scale expansion. Close monitoring of market developments, cost control, and proactive feed sourcing are essential to mitigating risks.

In addition, strengthening value chain linkages between production and consumption is seen as a long-term solution to enhance the poultry sector’s resilience against future market fluctuations.

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