Vietnam will increase its farming areas of maize and soybeans by between five and ten per cent in the next five years to meet the sharply increased demand of the animal husbandry sector, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Vietnam now has around 100,000 hectares for soybean farming and 200,000 hectares of maize. The country has great potential for promoting the production of farm-produce items like rice.
This year’s maize yield of Vietnam is estimated at between 400,000 and 500,000 tonnes, equal to last year’s yield. This means that Vietnam needs to import around 500,000 tonnes more to meet the local demand.
The import volume of soybeans and dried soybeans is predicted to increase sharply this year to 900,000 tonnes against 700,000 tonnes in 2005. It has even been forecast that Vietnam may have to import 1.9 million tonnes of dried soybeans, against 1.3 million tonnes in 2005, as prices of dried soybeans in India are very low, attracting importers.
Meanwhile, the raising of pigs and poultry in Vietnam has seen a strong development, resulting in a higher demand for maize and soybeans. At the same time, aquaculture has emerged as a sector needing high volume of soybeans.
Vietnam’s export of seafood has increased sharply as seafood has become an important protein source for people, in particular after the outbreak of bird flu, foot and mouth diseases.
Total volume of meat produced by Vietnam is expected to reach 6.5 million tonnes in the next five years, against that of 2.8 million tonnes in 2006. Vietnam’s main products include pork, beef and chicken. Total volume of pork is expected to reach 2.4 million tonnes this year and will increase by between five and eight per cent each of the next five years. Total volume of chicken has recovered after the outbreak of bird flu last year, estimated at 350,000 tonnes against 321,000 tonnes of 2005.
P.V
Vietnamese
