Vietnam’s animal feed industry is a vital component of the country’s agricultural sector, supporting its rapidly expanding livestock and aquaculture industries. In 2024, the industry is expected to maintain steady growth, driven by rising domestic consumption of meat and seafood, along with increasing demand for exports. The sector’s expansion reflects Vietnam’s growing population, higher disposable incomes, and enhanced production capabilities.
Despite its potential, the industry faces significant challenges, including dependency on imported raw materials such as corn and soybeans, which leaves it vulnerable to global price fluctuations. Efforts are underway to reduce this reliance through local sourcing, crop diversification, and technological advancements in feed production. Companies are also exploring alternative ingredients and sustainable practices to mitigate environmental impacts.
Government support has been crucial in promoting the industry’s development, offering investment incentives and encouraging research into innovative feed solutions. These initiatives aim to enhance Vietnam’s competitiveness in the global market while ensuring long-term sustainability in feed production and livestock management.
Vietnam’s animal feed industry in numbers
Vietnam’s animal feed industry is a key player in the country’s agricultural development, supporting its growing livestock and aquaculture sectors. With increasing domestic demand for meat, eggs, and seafood, as well as opportunities in export markets, the industry continues to expand.
Vietnam compound feed market
The Vietnam compound feed market is projected to grow from an estimated US$12.21 billion in 2024 to US$16.19 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.80 percent during this period, according to Mordor Intelligence. This growth reflects increasing demand for quality feed due to the expansion of Vietnam’s livestock industry and rising meat consumption driven by higher disposable incomes. The market dynamics are further influenced by a shift towards modern farming practices and regulatory frameworks promoting hygienic animal husbandry.
Animal feed, poultry and aquatic product production in Vietnam
Vietnam’s industrial production index for animal feed, poultry, and aquatic products showed notable growth across all time comparisons in October 2024. Compared to September 2024, the index increased by 4.6 percent, reflecting strong month-on-month momentum. Year-on-year growth was even more pronounced, with October 2024’s index rising by 6.4 percent compared to October 2023, highlighting robust demand and production advancements.
For the year-to-date period from January to October 2024, the sector recorded a 5.3 percent increase over the same period in 2023. This steady performance indicates a positive trend in the industry, supported by increasing domestic consumption, export opportunities, and efforts to enhance production capacity. These figures underscore the sector’s role as a key contributor to Vietnam’s industrial growth.
Vietnam’s animal fodder imports-exports
Vietnam’s animal feed industry continues to expand, but it remains heavily dependent on imports to satisfy domestic demand. Simultaneously, the country is working to bolster its export markets, despite facing challenges such as global competition and market volatility.
Vietnam’s animal fodder imports, October vs. September 2024
| October | September | MoM | YTD | |
| 403,717,086 | 290,377,918 | 39.0 | 4,022,549,757 | |
| Other | 119,883,310 | 139,340,190 | -13.96% | 1,684,735,329 |
| Argentina | 212,546,538 | 98,412,038 | 115.98% | 1,325,249,730 |
| Australia | 2,895,541 | 3,356,385 | -13.73% | 60,906,726 |
| Austria | 364,001 | 549,252 | -33.73% | 4,290,100 |
| Belgium | 1,830,082 | 1,066,682 | 71.57% | 16,768,008 |
| Brazil | 35,560,774 | 13,987,399 | 154.23% | 526,738,159 |
| Canada | 1,646,457 | 2,954,855 | -44.28% | 25,674,950 |
| Chile | 238,037 | 256,695 | -7.27% | 1,722,535 |
| China | 23,807,256 | 25,165,911 | -5.40% | 326,360,424 |
| France | 2,359,106 | 3,117,828 | -24.33% | 24,451,540 |
| Germany | 2,585,984 | 2,170,683 | 19.13% | 25,652,256 |
Source: Vietnam Imports Tracker
Vietnam’s animal fodder exports, October vs. September 2024
| October | September | MoM | YTD | |
| 97,048,628 | 79,126,742 | 22.6 | 850,280,411 | |
| Other | 4,860,366 | 3,563,533 | 36.39% | 42,270,381 |
| Bangladesh | 598,988 | 891,587 | -32.82% | 6,178,390 |
| Cambodia | 14,575,142 | 12,915,690 | 12.85% | 107,321,300 |
| China | 36,908,690 | 27,886,953 | 32.35% | 336,159,170 |
| India | 2,248,959 | 1,663,708 | 35.18% | 16,947,714 |
| Indonesia | 348,418 | 626,730 | -44.41% | 4,221,314 |
| Japan | 1,539,018 | 1,743,303 | -11.72% | 21,623,708 |
| Laos | 3,997,497 | 2,536,385 | 57.61% | 24,047,130 |
| Malaysia | 9,579,709 | 7,331,325 | 30.67% | 84,477,317 |
| Philippines | 3,288,909 | 2,742,927 | 19.91% | 25,949,219 |
| Singapore | 60,876 | 30,692 | 98.34% | 850,057 |
| South Korea | 1,912,520 | 1,563,718 | 22.31% | 18,354,043 |
| Taiwan | 2,502,149 | 3,144,667 | -20.43% | 28,586,722 |
| Thailand | 2,565,954 | 2,130,687 | 20.43% | 21,915,369 |
| United States of America | 12,061,433 | 10,354,837 | 16.48% | 111,378,577 |
Source: Vietnam Exports Tracker
Domestic animal feed firms in Vietnam
Vietnam’s animal feed industry has a number of key domestic players. These include:
Dabaco Group
Established in 1996, Dabaco is a multidisciplinary corporation focusing on animal feed production, livestock breeding, and food processing. The company operates six animal feed factories with a total capacity of 85 tons per hour, distributing products nationwide.
GreenFeed Vietnam Corporation
Founded in 2003, GreenFeed specialises in high-quality animal feed and has expanded into breeding and food processing. The company emphasises a fully integrated chain from feed production to food distribution.
Vietnamese-French Cattle Feed Joint Stock Company (Proconco)
Established in 1991, Proconco was the first foreign joint venture in Vietnam’s animal feed sector. It has become a leading company in animal, poultry, and aqua feed production, ranking among the top 100 largest animal feed companies globally.
Viet Thang Feed Joint Stock Company
Founded in 2002, Viet Thang specialises in producing and trading cattle and poultry feeds, catering to both domestic and regional markets.
Hong Ha Nutrition Joint Stock Company
Recognized among the top reputable animal feed companies in Vietnam, Hong Ha Nutrition focuses on producing high-quality feed products for various livestock.
Foreign animal feed firms in Vietnam
Vietnam’s animal feed industry is also significantly influenced by several prominent foreign enterprises that have established substantial operations within the country. Notable among these are:
C.P. Vietnam Corporation (Thailand)
A subsidiary of Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Group, C.P. Vietnam was founded in 1993. The company operates nine factories producing livestock and aquatic feeds nationwide, utilizing strictly controlled raw materials and modern laboratory systems to ensure high-quality products.
Cargill Vietnam Company Limited (United States)
Established in 1995, Cargill Vietnam is a leading entity in animal husbandry and aquaculture. The company operates nine feed processing plants across various provinces, employing approximately 1,500 staff. Cargill’s products are manufactured using advanced technology to meet market demands.
Japfa Comfeed Vietnam Limited Company (Indonesia)
A subsidiary of Indonesia’s Japfa Group, Japfa Comfeed Vietnam was established in 1999. The company is a key player in the food, agriculture, and animal husbandry sectors, operating five feed manufacturing factories and a network of pig and chicken farms across the country.
De Heus LLC (Netherlands)
A subsidiary of the Netherlands-based De Heus Group, De Heus LLC commenced operations in Vietnam in 2008. The company specialises in producing high-quality animal feed for cattle, poultry, and aquatic animals, operating seven factories and a system of transit warehouses nationwide.
CJ Vina Agri Co., Ltd. (South Korea)
Part of South Korea’s CJ Group, CJ Vina Agri established its first factory in Long An in 2001. The company operates under a closed 3F (Feed-Farm-Food) model, aiming to become a global leader in productivity and customer satisfaction.
These foreign enterprises have significantly contributed to the development of Vietnam’s animal feed industry, bringing advanced technologies and international standards to the local market.
Vietnam’s main animal feed products
Vietnam’s agriculture industry produces a diverse range of livestock and as such utilises a broad range of animal feed products. These include:
Swine Feed
Swine feed is tailored to meet the specific nutritional requirements of pigs across various life stages, including piglets, growers, finishers, and breeding sows. It typically includes a mix of grains, protein meals (such as soybean or fish meal), vitamins, and minerals. Feed for piglets is designed for rapid growth and immune development, while finisher feed focuses on weight gain and meat quality. The demand for high-quality swine feed in Vietnam is driven by pork being a staple in the Vietnamese diet, making pigs the most widely farmed livestock in the country.
Poultry Feed
Poultry feed is formulated for chickens, ducks, and other birds, targeting different production goals like meat or egg yield. Broiler feed supports rapid growth for meat production, while layer feed is designed to enhance egg production and shell quality. The feed includes essential nutrients such as maize, soybean meal, amino acids, and specific additives like calcium for eggshell strength. As poultry farming becomes more commercialised in Vietnam, specialised feed formulations have become essential for achieving consistent productivity and quality.
Ruminant Feed
Ruminant feed caters to cattle, goats, and sheep, focusing on providing balanced energy and protein levels for milk production, weight gain, and meat quality. Common feed components include forages, silage, cereal grains, and mineral supplements. In Vietnam, ruminant feed is essential for supporting the dairy and beef sectors, with increasing demand for milk and high-quality meat in urban areas. Feed formulations often include additives like rumen buffers to enhance digestion and improve efficiency in nutrient absorption.
Aquatic Feed
Vietnam’s aquaculture industry, a major contributor to global fish and shrimp exports, heavily relies on high-quality aquatic feed. Feed formulations are tailored to specific aquatic species like catfish, tilapia, and shrimp, promoting growth, survival rates, and disease resistance. Ingredients such as fish meal, vegetable proteins, oils, and micronutrients are used, along with specialised additives for water stability and minimal environmental impact. The development of aquatic feed is critical as Vietnam strives to maintain its position as a leading exporter of seafood.
Compound Feed
Compound feed is a scientifically formulated blend of various raw materials and additives, designed to meet the nutritional needs of specific livestock categories. It combines cereals, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and feed additives like enzymes and probiotics. This feed type is critical for industrial-scale farming as it ensures consistent quality, optimised growth rates, and reduced production costs. Compound feed is increasingly preferred in Vietnam’s commercial farming sector, which is shifting towards modern and intensive farming practices to improve productivity and profitability.
Key animal feed regulations in Vietnam
These regulations collectively aim to ensure the safety, quality, and traceability of animal feed products in Vietnam, aligning with international best practices and supporting the sustainable development of the country’s livestock and aquaculture sectors.
Law on Animal Husbandry (2018)
This foundational law, effective from January 1, 2020, provides overarching guidelines for animal husbandry practices, including the production, trading, and use of animal feed.
Decree No. 13/2020/ND-CP
Issued on January 21, 2020, this decree offers detailed guidance on implementing the Law on Animal Husbandry, specifying requirements for animal feed management, quality standards, and labelling.
Decree No. 46/2022/ND-CP
Effective from July 13, 2022, this decree amends and supplements certain articles of Decree No. 13/2020/ND-CP. It introduces changes related to the recognition of testing methods from exporting countries, state inspection processes for imported animal feed, and conditions for exemption from state inspection.
Circular No. 21/2019/TT-BNNPTNT
Issued on November 28, 2019, this circular guides specific articles of the Law on Animal Husbandry concerning animal feed. It includes the list of chemicals, bio-products, and microorganisms banned from use in animal feed, as well as labelling requirements and reporting obligations for animal feed production.
Circular No. 04/2020/TT-BNNPTNT
Effective from July 1, 2020, this circular promulgates national technical regulations on animal feed and raw materials for aquafeed production. It sets maximum levels for undesirable substances and outlines conformity declaration procedures for animal feed products.
Circular No. 01/2021/TT-BNNPTNT
This circular amends and supplements certain provisions of Circular No. 21/2019/TT-BNNPTNT, updating the list of chemicals and antibiotics banned from use in animal feed and providing additional guidance on labelling and quality standards.
What’s next?
Vietnam’s animal feed industry plays a crucial role in supporting the country’s livestock and aquaculture sectors. However, the industry is characterised by significant reliance on imported raw materials, which account for a good deal of the total demand. Key animal feed imports include corn, soybean meal, and wheat, sourced primarily from Argentina, the United States, and Brazil.
Domestic producers like Dabaco Group and GreenFeed compete alongside major foreign firms such as C.P. Vietnam (Thailand), Cargill (United States), and De Heus (Netherlands), which dominate the market. Feed products cater to swine, poultry, ruminants, aquatic species, and more, with a growing focus on compound feed due to its nutritional balance and efficiency.
Vietnam has established a robust regulatory framework under the Law on Animal Husbandry and supporting decrees and circulars, aiming to ensure product quality, safety, and alignment with international standards. The industry’s growth is driven by rising meat consumption, modern farming practices, and export opportunities in aquaculture, though challenges remain in reducing dependency on imports and enhancing domestic production capacities.
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