December 23, 2003

Rapid Growth of Vietnam Cattle Industry in Past Decade

Vietnam's cattle industry has experienced rapid growth in the past decade. The sector now constitutes between 17 and 20% of total agricultural value, Hoang Kim Giao, Deputy Director of the Department for Agriculture, said at a seminar on cow development in Vietnam held in Hanoi last Friday.

In 2003 nearly 127,000 tons of beef and 126,000 tons of milk were produced, he added. 

The country has 4.3 million head of cattle for beef and 80,000 dairy cows.

To develop the ranching sector through 2005, the country will raise the dairy cow herd to 100,000 head and ensure a milk output of 165,000 tons, meeting 20% of domestic demand.