In just the first ten months of 2025, Vietnamese companies imported over 800,000 tons of meat and meat products. The sharp rise in pork imports - nearly double compared to last year - is one of the main drivers behind the recent plunge in live pig prices, marking a four-year low.

According to Vietnam’s Customs Department, between January and October, the country imported 811,300 tons of meat and related products worth approximately USD 1.62 billion - around USD 2.00 per kg. This marks a 15.3% increase in volume and 14.4% rise in value compared to the same period in 2024.

India remains Vietnam’s top meat supplier, accounting for 18.52% of total imports with 150,200 tons valued at USD 535.5 million.

Besides India, Vietnamese businesses also ramped up imports from Russia, the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Poland, Spain, and China.

Poultry meat and edible by-products (fresh, chilled, or frozen) made up the largest portion of imports by volume - 36.33% - though only 18.01% by value.

Frozen buffalo meat accounted for 16.95% of volume and 30.67% of value. Meanwhile, chilled or frozen pork made up 19.66% of volume and 21.99% of value, while beef contributed 3.79% of volume but 13.35% of value.

Chilled or frozen by-products from pigs, buffalo, and cattle represented 18.96% of imported volume and 13.07% of the total value.

Notably, pork imports alone reached 159,400 tons, worth nearly USD 358.3 million - up 95.7% in volume and 90.8% in value year-on-year. The average import price stood at USD 2,240 per ton (around USD 2.24/kg), down 2.7% from 2024.

Vietnam sourced pork from 25 countries, with Russia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, and Spain being the top five exporters.

Nguyen Kim Doan, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Livestock Association, previously told VietNamNet that the market is facing dual pressure: surplus domestic supply and a surge in cheap meat imports amid weak consumption. As a result, live pig prices have nosedived, leaving farmers deep in the red.

In November, live pig prices across Vietnam dropped further compared to October, ranging from USD 1.91–2.10/kg. At one point, prices even hit USD 1.79/kg - the lowest level seen in four years.

At these rates, most pig farmers are suffering significant losses, said Doan.

In recent days, prices have slightly recovered to between USD 1.99–2.15/kg. But according to the director of a 12,000-head farming operation, producers are still operating at a loss.

Even large-scale farms that breed their own stock only manage to break even if their loss rate stays below 5%. Any higher, and they too are losing money under current market conditions.

Tam An