Vietnam’s chicken market is a critical component of the country’s fast-growing livestock sector, driven by rising domestic demand and evolving consumption habits.
As incomes increase and urbanisation accelerates, poultry has become an affordable and versatile protein source, competing with pork and fish in household diets and the food service industry.
The sector has also benefited from improvements in breeding, feed quality, and farm management practices, which have enhanced productivity and supply capacity.
Despite strong growth, the market faces structural challenges, including outbreaks of avian influenza.
Farmers and producers must balance these risks with rising feed costs, fluctuating input prices, and competition from imported poultry.
Vietnam’s tariff commitments under trade agreements have further opened the market to foreign suppliers, intensifying pressure on local producers to modernise and consolidate.
At the same time, consumer preferences are shifting towards higher-quality, traceable, and processed chicken products, creating opportunities for both domestic companies and foreign investors.
Supermarkets, convenience stores, and quick-service restaurants are driving demand for branded and value-added products, while e-commerce platforms are expanding distribution channels.
This combination of growth potential, competitive pressure, and evolving consumer behaviour is reshaping Vietnam’s chicken industry into a dynamic and strategically important market.
Chicken in Vietnam in numbers
There are a range of data points worth considering with respect to the size of Vietnam’s chicken market.
These data points provide a broad overview of the size of Vietnam’s chicken market and its trajectory.
Chicken consumption in Vietnam
Apparent consumption of chicken in Vietnam was 1.93 million tons in 2023, calculated using data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and Trade Map.
This was up from 1.58 million tons in 2020, giving beef consumption in Vietnam a CAGR of 10.57 percent.
Chicken production in Vietnam
In 2023, Vietnam produced 1.55 million tons of chicken.
This was up from 1.15 million tons in 2020, according to data from the FAO.
This represents a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.27 percent.
See also: Vietnam’s Meat Market: Data, Scandals, Risks, and Key Players
Vietnam chicken imports, tons
| Code | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| 20711 | Fresh or chilled fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, not cut in pieces | 2 | ||||
| 20712 | Frozen fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, not cut in pieces | 22,305 | 16,830 | 31,380 | 27,849 | 39,550 |
| 20713 | Fresh or chilled cuts and edible offal of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus | 338 | ||||
| 20714 | Frozen cuts and edible offal of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus | 160,717 | 122,692 | 129,507 | 99,411 | 324,697 |
Vietnam chicken exports, tons
| Code | Product label | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| 20711 | Fresh or chilled fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, not cut in pieces | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| 20712 | Frozen fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, not cut in pieces | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 278 |
| 20713 | Fresh or chilled cuts and edible offal of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| 20714 | Frozen cuts and edible offal of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus | 19,133 | 17,920 | 3,577 | 9,471 | 13,310 |
Source: Trade Map, accessed August 17
🥚Eggs in Vietnam
Eggs are a natural extension of Vietnam’s poultry sector, with chicken eggs making up the majority of national output.
They are a dietary staple, widely used in home cooking, food service, and street food.
Alongside chicken eggs, duck eggs and balut remain culturally significant, while salted and quail eggs add diversity to local consumption.
Producers are beginning to modernise, introducing branded and packaged eggs in supermarkets and experimenting with cage-free, organic, and omega-3-enriched lines.
These developments highlight how egg production is evolving in parallel with the broader chicken industry, balancing tradition with growing demand for quality and variety.
See also: Eggs in Vietnam: Market Trends, Opportunities, Challenges, & Key Players
Challenges facing chicken in Vietnam
There are several key challenges facing chicken in Vietnam.
These include:
Disease outbreaks
Vietnam’s poultry sector is highly vulnerable to disease, particularly avian influenza.
Outbreaks can quickly disrupt supply chains, reduce consumer confidence, and trigger culling campaigns that raise costs for farmers.
Rising input costs
Feed accounts for the largest share of production expenses, and Vietnam is heavily dependent on imported corn and soy.
Global price volatility directly impacts poultry producers, squeezing margins and limiting competitiveness.
Competition from imports
Trade agreements have lowered tariffs on poultry imports, exposing local producers to cheaper products from markets like the US and Brazil.
This competition puts pressure on domestic farms to modernise and cut costs.
Fragmented production
The sector remains fragmented, with many smallholder farmers operating outside integrated supply chains.
This limits efficiency, traceability, and quality control, making it harder for Vietnam to meet export standards.
Shifting consumer preferences
Urban consumers are increasingly demanding higher-quality, traceable, and processed chicken products.
Meeting these expectations requires investment in processing facilities, branding, and modern distribution networks, which smaller producers often struggle to afford.
Opportunities in Vietnam’s chicken market
There are several key opportunities in chicken in Vietnam.
These include:
Growing demand for protein
Rising incomes, urbanisation, and changing diets are driving greater demand for affordable protein sources.
Chicken is well placed to capture this growth, as it is cheaper and more versatile than beef or seafood.
Expansion of modern retail
Supermarkets, convenience stores, and e-commerce platforms are rapidly expanding their share of food distribution.
This creates opportunities for branded and standardised chicken products to reach wider consumer bases.
See also: Vietnam Supermarkets: Culture, Payments, Foreign Investment & More
Value-added and processed products
There is an increasing appetite for ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat chicken products, particularly among urban consumers and younger households.
Producers who invest in processing and product innovation can secure higher margins.
See also: Vietnam Food Processing Industry: Growth, Trends & Key Players
Export potential
As Vietnam strengthens its biosecurity systems and meets international standards, opportunities will open up in regional export markets.
Neighbouring countries with high demand for poultry represent a potential growth channel.
See also: Vietnam Trade: Exports, Imports & FTAs
Foreign investment and technology transfer
International firms continue to invest in Vietnam’s poultry industry, bringing capital, modern farming techniques, and advanced processing technology.
Partnerships with foreign players offer local firms opportunities to scale and improve efficiency.
Vietnam’s chicken businesses: key players
Vietnam’s chicken industry is shaped by a mix of powerful domestic firms, foreign-invested companies, and expanding retail and processing players, driving competition and modernisation.
Domestic players
These are some of the key domestic chicken businesses in Vietnam:
Ba Huan JSC
Ba Huan is a leading Vietnamese poultry company, particularly strong in egg production.
It has built a well-recognised consumer brand and has expanded into meat processing and distribution.
Vissan
Best known for pork, Vissan also produces processed poultry products.
It leverages its established distribution network to maintain a presence in Vietnam’s chicken market.
See also: Pork in Vietnam: Market Trends, Imports, and Key Players
Foreign-invested players
These are some of the key domestic chicken businesses in Vietnam:
CP Vietnam
A subsidiary of Thailand’s CP Group, CP Vietnam is the largest integrated poultry producer in the country.
Its operations cover breeding, feed production, farming, and processing, giving it a dominant role across the supply chain.
Japfa Comfeed Vietnam
Part of Indonesia’s Japfa Group, Japfa Comfeed operates large-scale poultry farms and feed mills.
It is one of the major foreign investors in Vietnam’s poultry industry.
De Heus
The Dutch company De Heus entered Vietnam as a feed producer but has expanded into poultry farming.
Its strategy centres on applying international standards and modern management practices.
CJ Vina Agri
CJ Vina Agri is the Vietnamese arm of South Korea’s CJ Group.
It produces animal feed and is active in poultry farming and processing, benefiting from CJ’s broader agri-food expertise.
Retail and processing
Kido Group
Kido Group has diversified into poultry processing through acquisitions.
This move reflects growing interest from large Vietnamese conglomerates in the poultry sector.
WinMart, Co.opmart, and Big C
Vietnam’s leading supermarket chains play an increasingly important role in distribution.
By stocking branded chicken products, they are shaping consumer preferences and pushing the industry towards higher-quality, formally processed poultry.
Popular chicken products in Vietnam
There range of both foreign and domestic chicken available in Vietnam.
These include:
Fresh and live chicken
Whole chickens, both live and freshly slaughtered, remain the most widely consumed form, especially in traditional markets.
Consumers value freshness and often prefer to buy poultry directly for home preparation.
Processed chicken
Marinated, frozen, and ready-to-cook chicken products are gaining popularity, particularly in urban areas where convenience is important.
These include pre-cut pieces, seasoned wings, and breaded items designed for home or restaurant use.
Chicken eggs
Eggs are a staple across Vietnam and form a major share of poultry consumption.
Large producers such as Ba Huan and Dabaco dominate this segment, supplying both fresh and processed eggs to supermarkets and foodservice outlets.
Ready-to-eat products
Chicken sausages, nuggets, and other value-added items are increasingly found in supermarkets, convenience stores, and fast-food chains.
These products cater to younger consumers and busy households seeking quick meal solutions.
Foodservice demand
Chicken is central to Vietnam’s quick-service restaurant industry, with global chains like KFC, Lotteria, and Jollibee, as well as local brands, offering fried chicken, grilled dishes, and rice-based meals.
This segment is driving the growth of processed and standardised poultry products.
See also: Vietnam’s Food and Beverage Industry: Market Trends, Exports, and Key Players
FAQ: Chicken in Vietnam
These are some of the most common questions about chicken in Vietnam.
How important is chicken in Vietnam?
Chicken is Vietnam’s second most consumed protein after pork, valued for its affordability and versatility in both home cooking and the foodservice industry.
Rising incomes and urbanisation have further boosted its role in daily diets.
Who are the major players in Vietnam’s chicken industry?
Key domestic firms include CP Vietnam, Ba Huan, Vissan, and Mavin, while foreign-invested companies such as Japfa Comfeed, De Heus, and CJ Vina Agri hold strong positions.
Retail and processing players like Kido Group and supermarket chains also shape the market.
Where does Vietnam import its chicken from?
Vietnam’s main chicken imports come from the United States, Brazil, and South Korea.
These countries supply competitively priced frozen cuts, supported by tariff reductions under trade agreements.
What chicken products are most popular in Vietnam?
Fresh whole chickens and eggs dominate traditional consumption, while processed items such as nuggets, sausages, and marinated cuts are gaining ground.
Ready-to-eat and fast-food fried chicken are also increasingly popular in urban markets.
What are the challenges and opportunities in Vietnam’s chicken market?
The industry struggles with avian disease outbreaks, high feed costs, import competition, and fragmented smallholder production.
At the same time, it benefits from growing protein demand, modern retail expansion, opportunities in exports, value-added products, and foreign investment.
Outlook
Vietnam’s chicken market is a fast-growing but highly competitive sector, shaped by rising protein demand, urbanisation, and changing consumer habits.
Domestic firms like CP Vietnam, Ba Huan, Vissan, and Mavin compete alongside foreign players such as Japfa Comfeed, De Heus, and CJ Vina Agri, with supermarkets and processors expanding their influence in distribution.
While the industry faces challenges from disease outbreaks, high feed costs, and cheap imports, opportunities are emerging in modern retail, value-added products, export markets, and foreign investment, positioning chicken as an increasingly important part of Vietnam’s food economy.
That said, Vietnam’s business environment and food and beverage industry are dynamic and can change quickly.
With this in mind, to keep up with the latest developments in Vietnam’s chicken sector, make sure to subscribe to the-shiv.