November 30, 2004

Corn Production in Vietnam Expected to Rise in 2004

Corn production in Vietnam continues to rise to serve the fast growing feed industry. Vietnam produced a record of 2.8 million metric tons of corn in 2003 and will likely to produce the same (and even more) in 2004.

Vietnam is also a seasonal corn importer with annual import volumes ranging from 200-350 thousand metric tons of corn (TMT). Due to bird flu outbreaks and higher domestic supplies, corn imports in 2004 are expected to be at a very low level of 90,000 MT.          

Vietnam's wheat milling industry remains stagnant following strong growth in recent years. This is mainly due to fierce price competition in the domestic wheat flour market, high prices of wheat this year, lower demand for aquaculture feed flour as well as a slowdown in noodle exports.

Vietnam's wheat imports in 2003 hit a record of 915,000 metric tons. However, wheat imports in 2004 will likely fall by 12% to 805,000 metric tons.