August 3, 2026
 

Vietnam's H1 chicken imports near 200,000 tonnes as US supplies dominate and exports open South Korea

FTA tariff reductions are amplifying competitive pressure on domestic producers as cheap imported chicken thighs capture a growing share of the institutional food market.

Vietnam imported an estimated 185,000-195,000 tonnes of chicken meat valued at US$190-205 million in the first half of 2026, a rise of 26-37.6% from the same period last year, according to the Vietnam Poultry Association.

The United States remained by far the largest supplier, accounting for approximately 115,000-120,000 tonnes, or nearly 61.8% of total imports. The bulk of US shipments consisted of low-cost chicken leg quarters. The European Union ranked second at 28,000-30,000 tonnes, with Poland the primary source, making Vietnam the second-largest importer of EU poultry in Southeast Asia. Brazil supplied approximately 24,000-26,000 tonnes, or around 13.1% of the market, mainly chicken wings and quarters.

Frozen chicken thighs dominated the import mix, accounting for an estimated 130,000-140,000 tonnes, or roughly 71.5% of total volumes. The Vietnam Poultry Association noted that these products compete directly with domestically raised white chickens, particularly in institutional kitchens. Frozen wings made up approximately 12% of imports at 22,000-25,000 tonnes, largely supplying fast food chains and restaurants, while chicken feet and other by-products accounted for around 8.7%.

The association attributed the sharp import increase in part to tariff reductions under Vietnam's free trade agreements, which have improved the price competitiveness of imported product. It cautioned that high import volumes, especially of low-priced cuts, will continue to weigh on domestic producers already contending with localised oversupply and price pressure in some segments.

On the export side, Vietnam shipped an estimated 4,800-5,200 tonnes of poultry meat in the first half, valued at US$45-48 million, a significant increase from a year earlier. Processed chicken accounted for more than 85% of export value, reflecting a shift towards deeper processing along the integrated supply chain. Japan remained the top destination with over 50% of export value, followed by Hong Kong, Cambodia, and the Middle East. Since April 2026, Vietnam has also begun exporting processed chicken to South Korea, opening a new market for domestic producers.