Vietnam: An Emerging Market for U.S. Pork
Vietnam is an important emerging market for U.S. agricultural exports.
The National Pork Board (NPB) realizes the importance of the Vietnam market for pork exports and is working in collaboration with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) to increase the U.S. market share of pork and pork variety products across Vietnam. From NPB’s Insights to Action research, Pork Checkoff dollars are being invested to strengthen market insights.
U.S. Pork Exports to Vietnam
In 2021, U.S. pork and variety meat exports to Vietnam totaled 12.2 million pounds, valued at $14.1 million. U.S. pork and variety meat exports were down 78% by volume, following a record year in 2020 as Vietnam’s total imports surged due to domestic shortages from ASF.
The top U.S. commodity exports to Vietnam are dairy products, poultry meat and products, fresh fruit and tree nuts but Vietnam continues to be an important market for U.S. pork and pork producers.
Vietnam temporarily lowered its most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff rates on frozen pork muscle cuts from 15% to 10% from July 10-December 31, 2020, which narrowed the tariff gap between U.S. pork and other suppliers with preferential duty rates. The 15% duty was reapplied on U.S. pork starting January 1, 2021, but the MFN rate will be reduced again to 10% starting July 1, 2022. For 2022, the duty on EU pork will be 9.4% and on Canadian pork will be 5.6% as tariffs continue to phase to zero in the EU-Vietnam FTA and the CPTPP. Russia has duty-free access through the Eurasian-Economic Union.
African Swine Fever Impact
- Consumer shopping habits have changed since emergence of ASF. For example:
- Consumers are more mindful of where their food is coming from and want to buy more fresh food and products from developed countries.
- Shopping in modern retail outlets has gained more and more popularity since consumers can identify the origin of meat and make purchases at a relatively stable price.
- Half of Vietnam’s 97 million residents are under the age of 31. In addition, the average population growth in Vietnam is 1% annually, which means that nearly one million new potential customers are born every year.
- The change in consumer trends due to ASF, along with Vietnam’s growing population, provides the U.S. a great opportunity for future success in the Vietnamese pork market.
Vietnamese Protein Consumption
Animal protein consumption has increased in Vietnam over the last 10 years and pork ranks as the second highest consumed animal protein in Vietnam behind fish.
Source: OECD
Between 2009 and 2020, U.S. agricultural exports to Vietnam grew by 103%.
Source: USDA
Pork Merchandising Opportunities
Before ASF, over half of U.S. pork and variety meat exports to Vietnam were variety meats, but in 2020 and 2021, pork cuts comprised the majority of U.S. export volumes (also boosted by reduced tariffs on pork cuts in 2020).
Vietnam’s growing demand for U.S. pork products can be significantly attributed to frozen pork products like picnics, loins, hams and ribs, as well as pork variety meats.
Source: USDA
