Vietnam’s chicken imports reach 186,400 tonnes as low prices pressure domestic suppliers

Import volume rises while spending declines

Vietnam imported 186,400 tonnes of chicken worth more than $188.3 million during the first six months of 2026, according to figures from the Ministry of Industry and Trade reported by Dân Việt. Compared with the same period of 2025, volume increased 2.1% while value declined 0.4%, indicating that average prices weakened as more foreign poultry entered the market.

June imports exceeded 36,700 tonnes and were valued at more than $34 million. Volume fell 0.7% from May and value dropped 4.5%. The average import price was more than $953 per tonne, down 3.8% month on month. At that level, imported chicken cost about 24,800 Vietnamese dong per kilogram at the prevailing average exchange rate, creating a low-priced supply option for processors, wholesalers and food-service buyers.

US leads as Turkish shipments accelerate

The United States remained Vietnam’s largest chicken supplier. June shipments exceeded 11,100 tonnes, valued at more than $13.3 million, and represented 38.2% of the market by the measure cited by Dân Việt. Compared with May, US volume fell 1.1% and value declined 4%. First-half imports from the United States reached 63,300 tonnes worth more than $75 million, rising 11.9% in volume and 14.1% in value year on year.

Turkey ranked second after supplying more than 9,800 tonnes worth over $6.7 million in June. Its monthly volume rose 19.2% and value increased 20.8%, giving it a 19.4% share. The shift was more pronounced over the full six-month period: Vietnamese imports from Turkey reached 29,600 tonnes worth more than $18.9 million, up 261% in volume and 216% in value from a year earlier.

Poland was the third-largest supplier in June, shipping more than 3,400 tonnes worth over $3.5 million. Volume dropped 30.6% from May and value fell 24.9%, while its reported share stood at 10.3%. First-half shipments totaled 20,000 tonnes worth more than $20.8 million, with volume up 10.8% but value down 9.8% year on year. South Korea supplied more than 2,600 tonnes worth over $3.5 million in June and held a 10.2% share; its volume and value declined 14.1% and 13.6% respectively from May.

Broader meat trade amplifies competitive pressure

The rise in chicken supply forms part of a broader expansion in Vietnam’s meat imports. Customs data reported by Dân Việt show that the country imported 595,700 tonnes of meat and meat products worth $1.7 billion in the first seven months of 2026. Volume increased 11.4% and value rose 32.4% from the same period of 2025. India was the largest overall supplier, accounting for 20.29% of volume with 120,800 tonnes valued at $521.28 million.

Vietnam’s meat and meat-product exports moved in the opposite direction. Shipments during the first seven months totaled 10,700 tonnes worth $72.06 million, down 17.7% in volume but up 4.8% in value. Hong Kong remained the largest destination, receiving 3,400 tonnes valued at $29.59 million, although those figures were down 42.8% and 28% respectively. Frozen whole suckling pig and frozen whole pig remained the main products sold there.

For Vietnam’s poultry industry, the central issue is the combination of rising import availability and low landed prices. Domestic farmers must compete with established US supply and rapidly expanding Turkish shipments, while processors gain a wider choice of origins and price points. The divergence between higher first-half chicken volume and lower import value suggests that price competition may remain intense even without a sharp increase in total demand.