Vietnam, increasingly closer to a strategic market for Chilean pork and poultry
Vietnam, with a steadily growing economy and a population of over 100 million, is positioned as a key market for Chilean pork and poultry exports.
In order to establish a trade channel between the two countries and market meat products, an animal health opening is required. Part of this process is the audits that the Vietnamese National Agricultural Health Service began to carry out in December 2024 throughout the Chilean meat production chain, from farms and slaughterhouses to public and private laboratories. This milestone marks a strategic step in the consolidation of the Chilean presence in this promising destination.
According to Rodrigo Castañón, Business Manager of ChileCarne, the strategy seeks to strengthen the country’s image in the ASEAN region (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) since not only could this secure new markets, but it would also allow for diversifying opportunities for Chilean producers and products: "Our objective is clear: to consolidate ourselves as global leaders in pork and poultry, diversifying markets and ensuring that our products reach the tables of demanding consumers around the world". He also adds that Vietnamese audits not only validate the high quality standards of the Chilean industry, but also reinforce the sector’s commitment to market diversification. "Vietnam is a very attractive market for our sector. Its economy, one of the fastest growing in recent decades, and its demand for quality products make it an ideal destination for our pork and poultry exports. In addition, having a Free Trade Agreement in force since 2014 and the support of the CPTPP offers enormous competitive advantages", he said.
The path taken to open this market is not fortuitous, but part of the sector's strategy to expand Chile's presence on the Asian continent. It is the result of joint work between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, ambassadors from both countries and companies.
In these years of collaborative work already institutionalized in the public and private spheres, ChileCarne has played a vital role as an association, articulating and supporting the different actors so that the milestones that allow progress in the process of animal health opening are successfully achieved. "Our role is to technically support companies and ensure that the process flows in the best possible way. These audits not only validate our quality, but also position us as a reliable partner in international markets", said Castañón.
All of the above means fundamental attributes for the country today: being a strategic and reliable partner that provides guarantees to highly competitive markets with rigorous entry conditions. This is the case of Vietnam, whose health, safety and quality standards are similar to those of other demanding markets to which Chile exports. For example, "one of the great strengths of our country is that each company has control of its production chain, which allows for rigorous control of health, quality and safety at each stage. This process gives us the opportunity to show the world the excellence of our production practices and our commitment to animal welfare and sustainability", highlighted the ChileCarne executive.
Lessons learned from previous international audits have been key to meeting Vietnam’s challenges. With active exports to more than 50 markets, the Chilean industry is accustomed to adapting to global demands. "The great learning we have applied is preparation and teamwork. This mission would not be possible without the close collaboration between SAG, pork and poultry exporting companies, and technical advisors. This allows us to identify gaps and ensure that we meet, and even exceed, international standards", explained the representative of the exporting association.
In addition to economic potential, sustainability is also a central theme. Castañón emphasized how this narrative aligns with the expectations of Vietnamese consumers: "In an increasingly conscious market, our commitment to sustainable and traceable practices allows us to differentiate ourselves from international competitors. This not only benefits the sector, but also projects a positive image of Chile on the global stage".
The joint work between public and private institutions, which has already been successful in markets such as China, Korea and Japan, not only guarantees the execution of an impeccable sanitary process to continue expanding the Chilean offer in foreign markets such as Vietnam, but also reinforces Chile's position as a great commercial ally and world leader in quality, sustainability and innovation in meat production.
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