Sorting and packing chicken products at CP Hanoi Poultry Processing Factory under CP Vietnam Corporation at Phú Nghĩa Industrial Park in Hà Nội. While chicken farmers are looking for solutions to lower costs to compete with cheap imports, bran prices increased six times within half a year. VNA/VNS Photo Vũ Sinh

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HÀ NỘI — The value of imported chicken meat reached US$237 million with about 178,000 tonnes last year.

The market research company Ipsos published a report assessing the meat consumption and livestock market in Việt Nam on Wednesday.

The report showed that chicken has been consumed more in recent years.

The amount of chicken consumed was 17.8kg per person in 2021, growing to 18.3kg last year.

Chicken consumption is forecasted to grow rapidly, but it isn't easy to increase suddenly.

Specifically, since Việt Nam signed free trade agreements, imported meat has been eliminated from tariffs, leading to fierce competition as imported chicken prices have always remained low.

The value of imported chicken meat reached $237 million and about 178,000 tonnes, despite an excess in domestic supply last year.

In contrast, Việt Nam only exported 1,000 tonnes, with a total value of $2.2 million.

While chicken farmers are looking for solutions to lower costs to compete with cheap imports, bran prices increased six times within half a year.

According to calculations and analysis by Ipsos, it is not until the second quarter or the third quarter of this year that bran prices in Việt Nam have begun stabilising and decreasing following the general global trend.

Another important factor is the decline in the land fund for livestock in the country.

The Law on Livestock 2018 regulated that livestock production would no longer be allowed in the inner city, which has affected the livestock land fund.

In addition, due to the recent increase in housing prices, many households choose to sell their land or stop raising livestock to make a profit.

A representative of the Đồng Nai Animal Husbandry Association said that the total chicken population of Việt Nam, including white-feathered chickens, coloured chickens and egg-laying hens, was 498 million in 2020. This number is forecasted to rise to about 555 million this year.

For pig production, Ipsos Việt Nam forecasts that consumer demand has not recovered compared to the period before the 2018 African swine fever outbreak.

Pork is losing its position as the number one choice in the animal protein category. — VNS