Vietnam's Dependence on Foreign Meat

Vietnam has spent a staggering $1.4 billion on meat imports, primarily sourced from India, the U.S., Russia, and Germany, according to recent customs data. The allure of these imports lies in their significantly lower cost compared to local products, which range from VND80,000 to VND180,000 per kilogram.

The influx of cheaper imported meat is placing additional strain on Vietnam's domestic livestock industry, which is already grappling with reduced supply due to African swine fever, according to the Dong Nai Livestock Association.

Food Safety Concerns

The Department of Animal Health has reported that over 1% of the 6,679 batches of imported meats inspected between May and September this year contained salmonella and were subsequently disposed of. This raises serious concerns about food safety and the potential for disease outbreaks from contaminated food.

In response to these concerns, the government is working with exporting countries to monitor quality, but experts are urging for stricter quarantine measures to protect public health.

Market Regulation Efforts

Market regulators have also stepped up their efforts to control the influx of substandard products. For instance, in August, HCMC authorities seized 400 kilograms of imported frozen pork intestines and udder meat that lacked proper documentation.