September 26, 2011

USDA eyes meat export opportunities in Vietnam

USDA stated that Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse will lead the agency's first agricultural trade mission to Vietnam, with a focus on opportunities for US beef, pork and chicken exports.

Two-way agricultural, fish and forestry trade with Vietnam reached nearly US$3.4 billion in 2010.

Fifteen US companies will take part in the September 26-29 mission and meet with nearly 150 Vietnamese producers, importers, buyers, distributors, and investors as well as attend the Food and Hotel Vietnam trade show, where 28 US exhibitors will feature food and agricultural products.

The recent emergence of fast food in Vietnam, including multinationals such as KFC and Lotteria, is spurring more demand for imported chicken meat and beef, according to a USDA background paper on the mission.

Fast food outlets associated with Western eating habits have become popular among students, young office workers, teenagers and children, according to the USDA.

A sizeable expatriate community in Vietnam and growing international visitor traffic are also increasing demand for high-value foods like US beef.

An emerging middle class in Vietnam also points to export opportunities. "With Vietnam's incredible poverty reduction over the past ten years and its consistently increasing gross domestic product (GDP), Vietnamese citizens are able to afford more protein than ever before," the USDA paper asserted.