Vietnam ministry warns oversupply of chicken

Warnings about over $1.3-billion pork shortage following the deadly African swine fever stimulated chicken importing and breeding for alternative protein supply.  

In January-September period, the country imported 215,700 tons of chicken worth over $186 million, up 49% and 46% from a year earlier, according to the statistics from the General Department of Customs.

At the same time, the total chicken flocks of the country increased by 13.5% against the same period of 2018. In the third quarter only, total chicken flocks increased by 19.2% from a year ago.

Chicken flocks in Dong Nai province, the focal breeding area of the country, increased to 24.8 million, up 16.8% compared to that in April 2019.

Domestic chicken flocks have been increasing sharply since farmers predicted pork shortage during the upcoming Lunar New Year.

The African swine fever ravaged pig herds in Dong Nai and the Southeastern region. The local farmers have turned to chicken breeding.

Chicken price began to fall due to oversupply. As of end-October, white-feathered chicken was sold at about $1 per kilogram, down 30% over the same period last year.

The price has recovered. In mid-September, price was only $0.8 per kilogram since livestock farmers massively sold their farm produces for cutting losses.

Recently, farmers in the region have sold more than 2.5 million chicken weekly, causing sharp decline in prices, according to the Southeastern Livestock Association.