June 4, 2004

Vietnam's National Dairy Herd Supplies 20 Percent Milk Demand
 

The dairy herd, approximately 88,800 heads, produces 135,000 tonnes of fresh milk a year, meeting 20 percent of the national demand, reported Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) on Thursday.

The national dairy herd has increased by 50,000 heads in the last two years with 80 percent crossbred at home and only 20 percent imported. MARD reported this at a conference held in the city on Thursday to review the Government's programme on dairy cow development.

The stock is expected to increase to 100,000 heads with a potential supply of between 140,000 and 150,000 tonnes of milk by the end of this year. It should also meet the target set for 2005, the report said.

It added that the country will have 126,000 dairy cows by 2005 and 256,000 by 2010.