Pork market in Vietnam

Earlier Report Observations

The Vietnamese pork market fell sharply in 2019 to 2.99 million tons after an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak devastated domestic pig herds. To fill the supply gap, frozen pork imports jumped significantly, reaching 108 thousand tons in 2020, a move supported by government policies that reduced import tariffs and actively encouraged frozen meat purchases.

Consumer behavior shifted toward frozen and safely packaged pork due to pandemic-related health concerns and ongoing disease worries, which sustained demand for imported and traceable branded products. This preference shift, combined with continuous government directives to manage supply and demand, helped lift the total market volume to 3.24 million tons by 2021.

Domestic production recovered steadily, reaching 3.55 million tons in 2023, as herds were rebuilt. Growing export volumes to markets like Hong Kong provided an additional outlet, while state measures promoting processed pork and the rise of organic, antibiotic-free product lines further supported the market's expansion to 3.62 million tons.

Production pork in Vietnam

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Vietnam held the 7th position globally in pork production during the 2017-2020 period.

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Pork production in Vietnam declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 930 thousand tons of pork, representing a 2.1% year-on-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.2%. The peak production was recorded in 2018 at 3 429 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 12.7% decline, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 at 2.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Vietnam in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of pork output in Vietnam reached 7 628 million US dollars, showing a modest 5.9% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 201 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 8 501 million US dollars. The most substantial decrease occurred in 2019 with a 15.3% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Vietnam in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports pork from Vietnam

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Vietnam's pork export volume stood at 11.2 thousand tons, marking a sharp decline of 56.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 63.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -28.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 41.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Vietnam in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong remained the dominant export destination in volume terms, accounting for 90.8% of total flows, with the remainder fragmented across other markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Vietnam in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Vietnam's pork export value reached 29.1 million US dollars, constituting a sharp 52.9% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 58.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -25.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 37.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Vietnam in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Hong Kong remained the primary destination for pork exports in value terms, capturing 90.7% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Vietnam in value, 2017-2020

Imports pork to Vietnam

Imports in kind, K t

Vietnam's pork import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 108.5 thousand tons, up by 418.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 1 980.2%, equating to a 175.0% annualized growth rate.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Vietnam in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil (30.0% of import volume), Russia (21.6%), and Canada (12.1%) formed the main group of sources for pork imports to Vietnam, together accounting for 63.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Vietnam in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Vietnam's pork import value increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value amounted to 334.5 million US dollars, corresponding to a sudden rise of 506.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports soared by 2 466.3%, equating to a 195.0% annualized growth rate.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Vietnam in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil (29.8% of import value), Russia (22.7%), and Canada (11.9%) consistently remained the main sources for pork imports in value terms, together accounting for 64.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Vietnam in value, 2017-2020