March 17, 2004

Vietnam To Import 600,000 Tons Corn For Poultry Feed

Vietnam is looking to import between 500,000-600,000 tons of corn for feed as it moves to restock poultry flocks hit by the outbreak of bird flu earlier this year, a trade ministry report said on Wednesday.

The report said the Vietnam Husbandry Feed Association had requested the ministry waive import tariffs on the corn purchase.

It gave no further details of the purchase plan.

The association, a grouping of Vietnam's 138 feed processors, has warned of a possible rise in feed prices of up to 1.5 percent as the processors wanted to offset losses caused by bird flu.

Vietnam, where an estimated 38 million poultry died, is expected to declare the virus eradicated late this month.

Earlier on Wednesday the U.N. Food and Agriculture said Vietnam was not yet clear of the virus and should not rush to replenish its flocks or resume poultry trade.