Impressive growth in export turnover
According to Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in the first 9 months of 2025, export turnover of livestock products reached about 447 million USD, an increase of 18.6% over the same period in 2024. It is expected that by the end of the year, this figure will exceed 600 million USD.
Regarding meat and meat products, according to Customs Department, in the first 9 months of 2025, Vietnam's export of meat and meat products reached 16.7 thousand tons, worth 86.54 million USD, down 0.8% in volume, but up 16.2% in value compared to the first 9 months of 2024. Hong Kong (China), China, Belgium, France, the United States, Canada, Singapore, Spain...are major meat export markets of Vietnam. Of which, exports to China, Canada, Singapore, Spain grew well.
Ministry of Agriculture and Environment stated that in recent times, Vietnam's agricultural sector has maintained a stable growth momentum. Of which, total meat output reached about 8.5 million tonnes; egg output exceeded 21 billion; and aquatic products reached 9.6 million tonnes. The entire livestock industry contributed 25-27% of the overall growth, affirming its important role in ensuring domestic food supply and participating in the global supply chain. Vietnam currently ranks 5th in the world in pig farming, 6th in output; 4th in pork consumption; and 2nd in the world in waterfowl. Products with competitive advantages include: honey, suckling pigs, bird's nests, salted duck eggs, etc.
In an interview with Industry and Trade Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Duong, Chairman of Vietnam Livestock Association, stated that Vietnam's meat and meat product exports in recent years have tended to recover and grow. With increasing demand for meat consumption along with factors related to disease control...Therefore, opportunity for Vietnam to export meat and meat products will grow more.
Cost, environmental challenges and technology application opportunities
However, livestock industry still faces many major challenges. Specifically, high production costs due to dependence on imported feed ingredients and breeds, along with increasingly complex impacts of diseases, natural disasters and climate change. Production system is still lacking in synchronization, small and medium scale, making it difficult to apply modern technology.
Applying science, technology and digital transformation is an important solution to improve productivity, quality and competitiveness. However, many businesses encounter difficulties in mechanisms and technical standards.
At Forum Listening to Farmers Speak with theme "Accompanying Farmers into the New Era" held on November 2, Mr. Nguyen Van Minh, Deputy General Director of BAF Agriculture Joint Stock Company, gave an example of regulations on livestock wastewater treatment. Specifically, from September 1, 2025, QCVN 62:2025/BTNMT takes effect, wastewater standards are higher than both the EU and China, treatment costs increase by 28,000 - 35,000 VND/m³. At the same time, when reusing wastewater for watering plants, businesses must consider the QCVN 01-195:2022/BNNPTNT standard, leading to complex treatment costs and techniques to both ensure the environment and maintain nutritional value. Therefore, Mr. Minh recommended that Ministry of Agriculture and Environment consider adjusting the standards to suit circular agriculture, reduce operating costs but still ensure environmental safety. Regarding this, Mr. Hoang Van Thuc, Director of Department of Environment, said that in recent times, the work of simplifying, decentralizing, and decentralizing administrative management has been vigorously implemented. About 83% of environmental impact assessment records and 87% of environmental licensing records have been decentralized to localities for implementation.
In field of livestock and poultry farming, procedures related to licensing and project approval have been thoroughly decentralized, creating favorable conditions for businesses and investors. The Ministry is also coordinating with the National Assembly in the process of amending the law, continuing to decentralize about 9% of procedures, towards a streamlined and effective management model.
Regarding projects being implemented or in the transition period, businesses are allowed to extend application of QCVN 62:2025/BTNMT until 2031, which means there are still 6 years to complete the wastewater treatment system.
Regarding QCVN 39:2011 standard on irrigation water, it has actually expired since 2015 and has been replaced by QCVN 08-MT:2015/BTNMT. Currently, enterprises only need to comply with QCVN 62:2025/BTNMT and QCVN 01-195:2022/BNNPTNT to use wastewater for crops.
Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang emphasized that if Vietnamese standards are higher than EU or Chinese standards, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will review and report to the Government to avoid causing difficulties for enterprises.
Vietnam's livestock industry is growing steadily, with high export turnover, but still faces challenges in terms of costs, environment and management mechanisms. Applying technology, digital transformation, reforming administrative procedures and adjusting technical standards will be the key to helping the industry develop sustainably, meet domestic demand and expand export markets.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn