Vietnam’s livestock exports surge despite global headwinds

• Animal feed: Increased from 388,000 tons in 2024 to nearly 420,000 tons in 2025.
• Meat and meat products: Remained stable at 15,400-15,600 tons annually.
• Emerging trend: A marked shift away from live animal exports (declining from 308,000 heads to 70,500 heads) toward higher value-added processed products that meet stringent international sanitary and phytosanitary standards.

Challenges of volatility and dependency

Despite strong growth figures, the sector continues to face geopolitical volatility. Deputy Director General Pham Kim Dang highlighted how disruptions along key maritime routes, including the Red Sea, have raised freight and insurance costs while extending delivery times.

Two pressing issues remain. First, import dependency is high: more than 65% of raw materials and over 90% of feed additives are sourced abroad. Rising oil prices and logistics costs quickly inflate domestic production expenses.

Second, supply chain risks tied to Middle East volatility threaten the continuity of raw material flows, complicating efforts to stabilize production.

Path to global competitiveness

To achieve the USD 1 billion export target, Vietnam’s livestock industry is prioritizing improved breeding stock and enhanced processing.

In 2025, the country imported 7.54 million breeding animals, underscoring its commitment to strengthening herd quality. At the same time, investments in processing capacity aim to boost competitiveness and secure a stronger foothold in global markets.