September 9, 2008

Vietnam's total import value of Argentine chickens reached US$2.2 million in the first seven months of 2008, up 2.6 percent on-year, according to Argentina's Service of Agriculture Health.

During the period, Vietnam also imported more than 10,000 tonnes of chicken products from Argentina, valued at US$9.5 million.

More Vietnamese consumers are buying imported frozen chicken due to their cheaper prices when compared to domestic chickens.

Imported chickens are sold at US$1.1-1.2 per kg while domestic chickens are priced at US$1.5 per kg. Imported products are cheaper due to lower costs and low import duties.

Nguyen Thanh Son, deputy head of the Animal Husbandry Department, said Vietnam imported about 21,000 tonnes of frozen chicken meat in the first eight months of 2008.

Nguyen estimated that Vietnam will import about 3,000 tonnes of frozen chickens monthly by year-end.