Seeking opportunities to export livestock products

​Chicken slaughtering and processing in Koyu & Unitex Co., Ltd (Bien Hoa City) exported to Japan. Photo by Phan Anh

Following the strategic goals of livestock development in the new period of the Prime Minister, Dong Nai focuses on sustainable development of the livestock industry in the direction of modern industry, applying high technology to compete well when entering the international playground.

Export is unworthy potential

According to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in 2021, Vietnam's livestock product export turnover will reach USD 440 million. Among exported meat products, chicken accounts for the largest proportion. Export of processed chicken meat in 2021 will reach more than 2.5 thousand tons, an increase of nearly 36.6% compared to 2020. The opportunity to promote the export of this product is still very large when Vietnam has successfully negotiated the export of processed chicken to Japan, Hong Kong and the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union. However, in comparison, the export turnover of livestock products reached USD440 million, the import turnover of about USD3.400 million, so Vietnam still has a trade deficit of USD2.96 billion in 2021.

Analyzing the data on livestock production as well as the output and total export value of the livestock industry, it can be seen that the export of meat and livestock products of Vietnam is not commensurate with its potential. Currently, the country's total poultry herd reaches 523 million heads, 28 million pigs, and 12 million grazing cattle. This total meat production not only meets the domestic consumption demand but also needs to expand the export market to limit the difficulty of the supply being larger than the demand due to the sharp decrease in the consumption market due to the current impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Livestock development strategy for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045, based on the viewpoint of promoting the potential and advantages of ecological zones for comprehensive, effective, sustainable livestock development and being adapted climate change associated with the development of value chains. Having developed the livestock industry in the direction of industrialization and modernization, and at the same time promoted organic and traditional livestock production in the direction of producing high-quality and safe goods. The goal of these above strategies by 2030, domestic livestock production belongs to the group of advanced countries in the region, in which, many specific goals by 2030 are set, such as: industrial husbandry accounts for 70% of the total pig herd, and about 60% of the total chicken flock. The whole country has built at least 20 safe raising areas at district level.

Disease-free chicken farm meeting export standards to the Japanese market at Long Thanh District. Photo by Phan Anh

Building export linked chain

In addition to focusing on building facilities and disease-free raising areas, Dong Nai is focusing on building a chain of livestock linkages from production to processing and consumption to meet the export market. In which, corporations, businesses, and livestock cooperatives play an important role in building linked chains.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the province has currently had 22 businesses processing food from the meat of terrestrial animal. On average, these enterprises process and supply to the market about 30,000 tons of finished products annually, equivalent to about 45,000 tons of fresh materials. Processed products are very diverse such as: spring rolls, cotton meat, sausages, cold meats, ham, bacon, etc. Most businesses and establishments that have preliminarily treatment and food processing. They can form a chain following a closed process from breeding to raising, slaughtering, and preserving to process. Famous corporations and enterprises in investment in preliminary processing and processing include: C.P. Livestock Joint Stock Company Vietnam (Bien Hoa City) has developed a nationwide system of consumption stores, Koyu & Unitex Co., Ltd (Bien Hoa City) is a pioneer in the country in exporting chicken products to the fastidious market of Japan.

Mr. Le Van Quyet, Director of Long Thanh Phat High-tech Agriculture Cooperative (Long Thanh) commented that, as one of the leading localities in the country in terms of livestock industry, Dong Nai is an attractive destination for many groups, enterprises which invest in modern meat processing plants, meeting international standards with the ambition of not only taking up the domestic market but also reaching out to export. According to Mr. Quyet: "Currently, Long Thanh Phat is the only export chicken cooperative in the country, our products are consumed by local businesses for processing and exporting to Japan. The export market of processed poultry products is still very potential, and both farmers and businesses are making efforts to join in order to have more sustainable output for the livestock industry.

Phan Anh

In addition to paying attention to the construction of the ATDB, Dong Nai also promotes the traceability of livestock products in the province, better satisfy the demand for safe products of both domestic and export markets. Dong Nai has been positive implementing many projects on traceability of livestock products such as pork, chicken, poultry eggs, etc.