Vietnam’s breeding animal imports surge in first five months of 2026

• ✅ Import volume increased by 42.6%.
• ✅ Import value rose by 16.3%.

Compared with May 2025:

• ✅ Import volume increased by 25.8%.
• ✅ Import value surged 4.4-fold.

During the first five months of 2026, Vietnam imported approximately 2.5 million breeding animals worth USD 252.9 million, up 23.8% in volume and 176.9% in value compared with the same period last year.

The strong growth reflects rising demand from livestock enterprises and farms for high-quality breeding stock as the industry seeks to improve productivity, product quality, and competitiveness.

Breeding cattle and buffaloes account for the largest import value

Breeding cattle remained Vietnam’s most valuable imported breeding livestock category. In May 2026, the country imported more than 59,800 breeding cattle worth USD 44.8 million.

Compared with the previous month:

• ✅ Import volume increased by 22%.
• ✅ Import value rose by 13.2%.

Compared with May 2025:

• ✅ Import volume increased 12.9-fold.
• ✅ Import value increased 9.6-fold.

The figures indicate growing demand for high-quality beef and breeding cattle as businesses and local authorities prioritize herd development.

Breeding buffaloes and other breeding livestock ranked second by import value, with more than 33,600 animals worth USD 21 million.

Compared with April 2026:

• ✅ Import volume increased by 37.2%.
• ✅ Import value rose by 23.9%.

Compared with the same month last year:

• ✅ Import volume increased 7.2-fold.
• ✅ Import value increased 5.8-fold.

These figures highlight strong investment in high-quality breeding livestock to support domestic livestock production.

Day-old chick imports continue to grow

In the poultry sector, Vietnam imported more than 459,200 day-old chicks in May 2026, valued at USD 3.4 million.

Compared with April 2026:

• ✅ Import volume increased by 46.8%.
• ✅ Import value rose by 45.1%.

Compared with May 2025:

• ✅ Import volume increased by 10.3%.
• ✅ Import value increased by 26.6%.

The continued growth suggests sustained demand for breeding stock to support both commercial poultry production and breeding operations as businesses and farmers expand production.

Developing domestic breeding programs to reduce import dependence

The sharp rise in breeding animal imports reflects not only herd rebuilding following recent market fluctuations but also an increasing focus on improving livestock genetics.

As Vietnam’s livestock industry faces higher requirements for productivity, disease control, and product quality, access to high-quality breeding stock is considered essential for improving production efficiency and strengthening competitiveness.

However, alongside increasing imports, experts recommend strengthening quarantine procedures and quality control for imported breeding animals while accelerating the development of Vietnam’s domestic breeding industry.

Expanding domestic breeding capacity is seen as a key strategy to gradually reduce reliance on imported genetics, secure a stable breeding stock supply, and support the long-term development of a modern and sustainable livestock sector.