US emerges top in Vietnam's feed supply market

The US has surpassed India and Argentina to become the largest supplier of animal feed to Vietnam with export revenues rising 350% from a year earlier to US$185 million in the first four months of 2010, according to the General Department of Customs.

 

The sum accounted for 24% of Vietnam's total animal feed import revenues, the department added. Local importers said they preferred the US products that were offered at around 20%-30% lower prices than that from other countries.

 

"The US firms are receiving more favourable conditions from the government that aims to boost the exports of agricultural products," said Ta Trung Linh, director of Thanh Binh Co. Ltd specialising in animal feed production in the southern province of Dong Nai.

 

Meanwhile, lean crops resulted from bad weather forced Vietnam to import more animal feeds and materials for production, he added.

 

Vietnam's imports of animal feeds and materials soared 81.7% to US$768 million between January and April.