January 22, 2021

Vietnam approves plan to increase domestic beef production

A livestock development strategy has been approved to develop Vietnam's livestock production and beef cattle from 2021 to 2030, with an aim to maintain a 1% average growth rate per year during the period.

Efforts would be directed at a 6% average increase per year of local beef produce and raising the country's  proportion of large muscular breeds to above 70% of the total herd.

The strategy will integrate national, provincial, and regional clusters' livestock development plan. Under the plan, locals, who want to produce beef and buffalo meat, need to establish brands and geographical indications for their products and follow cool meat standards to ensure food safety throughout the production process, storage and distribution.

The strategy also entails the conversion of certain areas to grow grass of high yield and value for livestock farming.

Vietnam has recently issued several policies to encourage and boost the development of livestock farming with the goal to boost the production of domestic beef.

The country consumes an average of 9.2 kilogrammes of beef per person per year, according to the United Nations' Agricultural Outlook of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), but only 30% of beef production was produced locally and 70% was imported from other countries.

More than 500,000 heads of live cows and bulls were imported by Vietnam by November 2020.

 - Saigon Giai Phong Online