Cheap imported meats flood market

Some 304,850 tons of meat and meat products were imported in the first five months of 2024, up 29% year-on-year, at an average price of VND46,000 (US$1.8) per kilogram.

According to data from the Agency of Foreign Trade, they shot up in May to 76,120 tons worth $140 million, up 32.1% from a year ago in volume and 28.6% in value.

India, the U.S., Russia, Poland, and Brazil are Vietnam’s top suppliers.

In HCMC, imported frozen pork is 30-40% cheaper than local products.

Thanh Hoa, owner of a meat import business in the city’s Tan Binh District, said prices of Vietnamese pork are rising.

The Animal Husbandry Association of Vietnam warned that cheap imports could pose unhealthy competition to domestic products and affect consumers’ health if they are of low quality.

It called on authorities to tighten control over meat imports to protect both consumers’ health and the local industry.