The livestock producing industry aims to hit USD 1 billion in exports

Supermarkets and chain stores for the sale-off of pork

On October 30, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said at the 970 agricultural connection forum: "Pork prices have a significant influence on the CPI basket. That is why the agriculture sector's intellect and resources must be directed toward maintaining livestock supply while also stabilizing the macroeconomy, "added the Deputy Minister.

Mr. Nguyen Van Trong, Deputy Director of the Department of Livestock Production (MARD), said that the price has decreased to between VND 30,000 and 35,000 per kilogram owing to decreased consumer demand.

Although live hog costs decreased significantly, pork prices at butcher shops, marketplaces, and supermarkets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City remained high (VND 110,000 – 200,000 per kg depending on the cut of meat), owing to circulation and distribution.

Until date, the price of live pigs has ranged between VND 40,000 and 50,000 per kg, and in certain areas, between VND 52,000 and 53,000 per kg.

To alleviate difficulties in the husbandry sector, MARD proposed that the Government consider supporting production restoration; reducing import taxes on animal feed ingredients; providing credit support and lowering bank interest rates on production facilities in order to reduce input costs and mitigate the risk of food shortages in the final months of 2021 and during the Lunar New Year.

According to Nguyen Van Long, deputy head of the Department of Animal Health (MARD), livestock illnesses have been under control since the beginning of the year. "Foot-and-mouth disease has fallen significantly since Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien ordered the introduction of high-antigen vaccinations into the country beginning in 2019," the department chief said.

However, severe illnesses such as African swine fever and lumpy skin continue to spread, generating more than VND 2,000 billion in harm.

Apart from the pandemic condition, the director of the Department of Animal Health said that exports had thrived. Specifically, milk has been exported to China on an official basis. Previously, processed chicken meat was sent to Japan; currently, it is exported to seven nations, including many European countries.

According to Mr. Dinh Minh Hiep, Director of Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, several supermarkets Co.op Mart, BigC, and stores of CP, Vissan, and Greenfood have reduced the listed prices of pork products, as the city implemented a price stabilization program and demanded an 8-23 percent reduction in comparison to the previous selling price. Pork prices have plummeted by 30% on average since the end of September.

Numerous markets accept meat labeled "made in Vietnam"

According to Mr. Nguyen Tri Cong, Chairman of the Dong Nai Livestock Association, the livestock business is now experiencing three distinct trends: Enterprises with foreign direct investment, huge farms, and small livestock homes.

Developing livestock in the first two directions provides a number of advantages, including guaranteeing biosecurity and chain connectivity. The cattle business, on the other hand, cannot neglect the group of farmers, since this is a means of assisting people in earning an income and creating employment.

While Mr. Cong is in favor of expanding agricultural output, he is worried about farmers' productivity levels. He cited two examples: the financial results of C.P Vietnam Company, which reported a profit of USD 1 billion last year; and the ratio of piglets born from sows in the company sector is 1:26, but only 1:12 in the family sector.

According to Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien, several enterprises have spent billions of dollars and established operations in the chain of cattle products in Vietnam in recent years. As a result, it is realistic to see Vietnam as the world's kitchen, and we want to export meat to a variety of markets.

According to Mr. Nguyen Quoc Toan, Director of the Department of Agricultural Product Processing and Market Development, "success or failure" is determined by the provider, but this aspect is

missing from specialized trade groups. Mr. Toan proposed that professional groups bring in vendors and enforce tight restrictions.

According to Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has proposed the execution of five significant projects to the Government for approval in order to carry out the country's livestock development plan.

"Variety is important since it influences yield and quality." To diversify goods, we must increase seed production, generate endemic lines, and update high producing lines.

Additionally, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that since animal feed accounts for around 65-70 percent of manufacturing costs, it is very difficult to lower prices and boost competitiveness without resolving this issue.

Vietnam has similarly established a goal of around 60% of processed livestock products. It is vital to address the environmental issue in order to build a sustainable livestock scale. The amount of solid and liquid waste generated by cattle is enormous, necessitating the use of circular economic models to resolve.

"Science and technology are confirmed as the primary national policy," Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said. Thus, science and technology must play a role in motivating people.

"I think that if we execute the livestock plan well and with the full support of the political system, we will achieve an output and export value of more than USD 1 billion," the Deputy Minister said.