Vietnam spends $1.4B on meat imports

Most of the imports came from India, the U.S., Russia, and Germany, customs data shows. They are much cheaper than local products, making them highly attractive to consumers.

Imported pork costs around VND52,000-62,000 (US$2-2.5) per kilogram on the retail market while domestic varieties are priced at VND80,000-180,000.

The Dong Nai Livestock Association said the influx of cheap imported meat is putting further pressure on the domestic livestock industry, which has already been struggling with reduced supply due to African swine fever.

If strict controls are not implemented, low-priced imports could hamper the industry’s growth and pose food safety risks, they warned.

Frozen meat imported into Vietnam. Photo courtesy of an imported meat store

According to the Department of Animal Health, of the 6,679 batches of imported meats inspected between May and September this year, over 1% contained salmonella and was disposed of.

The department is working with exporting countries to monitor quality, but experts want the government to tighten quarantine measures to protect public health and prevent disease outbreaks from contaminated food.

In response to the sharp increase in meat imports, market regulators have also strengthened control measures to get rid of substandard products.

In August HCMC authorities seized 400 kilograms of imported frozen pork intestines and udder meat that lacked documentation.