Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 28, Vietnam is seeing a significant increase in demand for imported grains as domestic maize and rice production declines due to farmers shifting to more profitable crops like shrimp, fruits, and lotus. This trend, driven by expanding livestock and aquaculture sectors, is fueled by changing consumer diets and growing export markets. Peter McMickin, an Australian agro-analyst with Grain Brokers Australia, noted: “Grain imports are projected to rise by 4.4% to 28.7 million tons in 2025 and by an additional 2.8% to 29.5 million tons in 2026.”

The livestock sector, particularly swine and poultry, is experiencing strong recovery, supported by improved disease control, favorable market prices, and steady domestic demand. According to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Vietnam, swine numbers increased by 3.8% in 2025, driven by a shift to semi-industrial production and partnerships between small farms and larger enterprises. Aquaculture output also rose, reaching 2.6 million tons in the first half of 2025, a 4.9% increase, with pangasius production at 872,000 tons, up 4.5%. Pangasius exports surpassed $1 billion, a 10% rise from the previous year.

Maize, comprising 38.5% of feed, is the primary feed ingredient, with imports expected to account for 85.5% of supply by 2026, up from 83.4% in 2024. Domestic maize production is projected to fall from 4.1 million tons in the 2024/25 marketing year to 4.0 million tons in 2025/26, with cultivated land decreasing from 810,000 to 800,000 hectares. Maize imports are forecast to reach 13 million tons in 2025/26, a 42.9% increase over five years, primarily sourced from Argentina (52%) and Brazil (37%).

Soybean meal, making up 25% of feed, is largely imported from the U.S. and South America. Meanwhile, the use of rice bran and broken rice in feed is declining, dropping from 15.3% in 2024 to 13.3% in 2026, as rice production decreases. In the Mekong Delta, rice output is expected to fall to 26 million tons from 6.8 million hectares in 2025/26, down 1.2 million tons from the prior year, as farmers prioritize alternative crops.

Wheat, which Vietnam does not produce domestically due to its climate, will see imports rise to 5.6 million tons in 2025/26. Of this, 2.6 million tons will support livestock feed, while 2.7 million tons will meet food, seed, and industrial demands, such as instant noodles and baked goods. Key suppliers include Australia (24%), Ukraine (20%), and Brazil (18%). This growing reliance on imported grains supports Vietnam’s expanding livestock and aquaculture industries, ensuring a stable supply for both domestic consumption and export markets.