Vietnam imported almost US$1.4 billion value of meat and meat merchandise within the first 10 months of 2024, up 14% from a 12 months earlier.
A lot of the imports got here from India, the U.S., Russia, and Germany, customs information reveals. They’re much cheaper than native merchandise, making them extremely enticing to shoppers.
Imported pork prices round VND52,000-62,000 (US$2-2.5) per kilogram on the retail market whereas home varieties are priced at VND80,000-180,000.
The Dong Nai Livestock Affiliation stated the inflow of low-cost imported meat is placing additional strain on the home livestock business, which has already been fighting lowered provide on account of African swine fever.
If strict controls should not applied, low-priced imports may hamper the business’s progress and pose meals security dangers, they warned.
Based on the Division of Animal Well being, of the 6,679 batches of imported meats inspected between Could and September this 12 months, over 1% contained salmonella and was disposed of.
The division is working with exporting international locations to watch high quality, however specialists need the federal government to tighten quarantine measures to guard public well being and stop illness outbreaks from contaminated meals.
In response to the sharp improve in meat imports, market regulators have additionally strengthened management measures to eliminate substandard merchandise.
In August HCMC authorities seized 400 kilograms of imported frozen pork intestines and udder meat that lacked documentation.
