Viet Nam’s livestock sector: Global reach and digital breakthroughs

In the broader picture of Viet Nam’s agriculture, the livestock sector is playing an increasingly important role. It not only ensures food supply for more than 100 million people and around 15 million tourists each year, but is also gradually integrating more deeply into the global supply chain.

Viet Nam’s pig farming ranks among the world’s top five

At the press conference for ILDEX Viet Nam 2026 on April 24, Mr. Pham Kim Dang, Deputy Director General of the Department of Animal Health and Production, emphasized that after years of restructuring, Vietnam’s livestock sector has achieved relatively comprehensive development.

According to Mr. Dang, constraints in land resources, a large population, and rising consumer demand have driven the sector to shift from small-scale farming to concentrated commodity production. As a result, Viet Nam now ranks fifth globally in pig population and sixth in pork production; its waterfowl population ranks second worldwide; and fresh milk output ranks third in ASEAN. Notably, animal feed production leads Southeast Asia and is among the top 12 globally.

Beyond the domestic market, many Vietnamese livestock products have been exported to demanding markets, including honey, suckling pigs, bird’s nests, salted duck eggs, processed chicken, and Halal-certified products.

In 2025, despite global disruptions caused by geopolitical conflicts, trade tensions, and changes in tariff policies, the livestock sector maintained its growth momentum. Total output reached 8.7 million tons of live-weight meat, up 4.3%; 21.4 billion eggs, up 5.3%; and 1.3 million tons of fresh milk, up 5.5%.

Notably, for the first time, exports of livestock products reached USD 628 million. Exports of animal feed and feed ingredients totaled USD 1.6 billion, while veterinary drugs and vaccines were exported to 46 countries, generating USD 42.8 million. Entering 2026, domestic supply remains stable, with prices not exerting significant pressure on the consumer price index.

However, Mr. Pham Kim Dang also candidly acknowledged that the livestock sector still faces multiple bottlenecks. Input costs remain high due to dependence on imported materials, diseases are increasingly complex, and markets are becoming more stringent in terms of food safety, environmental standards, animal welfare, and traceability.

To sustain an annual growth rate of 4-5% amid limited land resources, the sector has identified digital technology as a key solution.

“Science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation are the keys to improving governance capacity, optimizing production, reducing costs, and enhancing competitiveness,” Mr. Dang said, emphasizing that 2026 is considered a pivotal year for the 2026-2030 period. It represents a golden opportunity for the sector to transition toward better productivity, improved nutrition, enhanced environmental performance, and better livelihoods in line with FAO’s orientation.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Chairman of the Viet Nam Poultry Association, noted that technology is opening up opportunities to restructure the livestock industry. Many large-scale enterprises have applied digital technologies and AI to monitor livestock, automate care processes, and use robots for waste treatment, helping optimize costs and reduce reliance on increasingly expensive imported inputs.

“This is the foundation for enhancing competitiveness, reducing emissions, and moving toward the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050,” Mr. Son added.

Mastering breeding stock

According to the Chairman of the Viet Nam Poultry Association, Vietnamese livestock products still have significant potential for export. However, the wider the export opportunities, the higher the standards. The sector must shift from “raising more” to “raising better,” from increasing herd size to enhancing value. Production can no longer rely solely on existing capacity but must align closely with market demand, especially in export markets with stringent requirements on food safety, environmental protection, and traceability.

At the same time, green production is no longer optional but a mandatory requirement to ensure Vietnamese livestock products are not excluded from global supply chains. The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is pushing farms to transform their processes, turning by-products into resources and linking production with environmental responsibility.

Pressure is also evident in the domestic market, where prices of poultry meat and eggs have dropped sharply. In response, Mr. Son said the Viet Nam Poultry Association has been working with both FDI enterprises and domestic companies to seek solutions.

The focus is on reducing input costs through improved management, strengthening linkages between enterprises and farmers in contract farming chains to share risks and benefits. At the same time, businesses need to invest in research and breeding programs to gradually master 70-80% of the breeding stock market.

“With synchronized solutions, from controlling output and diversifying products to enhancing communication and expanding exports, the poultry sector in particular, and the livestock industry as a whole, can gradually overcome challenges and achieve sustainable development,” Mr. Son emphasized.

The 10th edition of ILDEX Viet Nam 2026, an international exhibition on livestock, dairy production, meat processing, and aquaculture, under the theme “Clean Livestock - Green Production - Sustainable Value Chain Development,” will take place from May 20 to 22 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City.

The event will be held concurrently with Horti & Agri Viet Nam, bringing together more than 250 companies from over 25 countries and territories. It is expected to create significant cooperation opportunities and contribute to enhancing the position of the country's livestock sector.

The exhibition is organized by International Technology Exhibition and Events JSC (ITEC), under the patronage of the Department of Animal Health and Production (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), with media sponsorship from the Vietnam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper.