Viet Nam to research disease-free quail breeds for export

Quail were introduced to Viet Nam in the late 1970s, mainly from Japanese breeds. After more than 40 years, quail farming in Viet Nam has expanded into specialized production areas, with some large farms now supplying hundreds of thousands of eggs to the market each day.

In recent years, several livestock companies in southern Viet Nam have exported quail products to Japan and the United States. Behind these results, however, lies a persistent problem: the breeding base has barely improved.

At many farms, breeders keep birds from their own flocks for the next generation. The practice helps reduce costs in the short term, but over time, it leads to genetic decline. Flocks become less uniform. Some birds lay many eggs while others produce few, egg sizes vary, and overall productivity becomes unstable.

Such instability may be tolerated in the domestic market. But it becomes a serious obstacle when producers move into large-scale supply chains, particularly for export, where strict standards on traceability and disease safety apply.

At a meeting on science and technology plans for the livestock sector on April 1, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien called for a solution to the issue. He also approved a proposal from the Department of Science and Technology to step up research on quail, focusing on disease-free breeding stock and high-quality lines.

“Other government leaders and we have conducted field surveys and found that the quail sector has huge potential”, he said, pointing out several advantages for developing the industry.

One advantage lies in the biological traits of quail. Their production cycle is short, and birds can start laying eggs after just over a month, allowing farmers to recover their investment quickly. Compared with chickens or ducks, quail require less spending on housing and breeding stock. They also need less space, making them suitable for both household farms and urban agriculture.

With pork and poultry prices fluctuating, many small livestock farmers face growing pressure. Quail offer a more flexible and lower-risk alternative. Their eggs can also be processed into canned, seasoned, or ready-to-eat products, generating higher value than fresh eggs.

Export potential is even greater. Processed quail eggs have already entered demanding markets such as Japan and the United States, where food safety standards are strict. This shows that quail eggs from Viet Nam can take part in global supply chains. Compared with some traditional livestock products, processed quail eggs are easier to preserve and more suitable for long-distance transport.

With larger-scale production and standardized processes, quail farming could develop into a specialized industry rather than remain a secondary activity.

Based on this, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said deeper research on quail would help improve productivity and product uniformity, while reducing the need for manual sorting during harvest.

Quail research is one of about 20 science and technology projects selected for the next period. From this promising livestock example, the deputy minister stressed that research projects must address current issues, stay close to production realities, and, most importantly, deliver concrete results that can be applied in practice.

Researchers were also urged to review international studies and experiences to identify suitable directions, avoid duplication, and improve research efficiency.

As the livestock sector faces pressure from disease risks and volatile prices in traditional livestock, science and technology are expected to play a key role in achieving the goals of the livestock development strategy for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045.

Mr. Nguyen Van Long, Director General of the Department of Science and Technology, said future research will focus on six main areas discussed at the first National Conference on Livestock and Veterinary Science and Technology on March 28, including pig farming, poultry, ruminant livestock, productivity and farming techniques, disease prevention and control, drugs and vaccines, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety.