An improving economy and an increased demand for pork has driven the growth in Viet Nam’s commercial swine sector, intensifying the importance of a quality feed supply.

The team, sponsored by the US Grains Council, was not only afforded opportunities to learn how to utilise US feed grains, but also made purchases of equipment, semen, breeding stock and health products.

“This programme, funded through USDA’s Market Access Program, has a record of successfully expanding the demand for US feed grains in commercial diets,“ said Thomas C. Dorr, USGC president and CEO. “While the Council works to increase the sale of US corn, barley, sorghum and their co-products, in the process it simultaneously promotes and facilitates the sale of nearly all US agricultural products and technology — a clear benefit to the US economy.“

The animal feed industry in Viet Nam is “enjoying an 8-10 per cent annual growth rate,“ according to a US Department of Agriculture report. Imported corn is very competitive in Viet Nam, according to the report. “DDGS has also been used by the Vietnamese feed industry to minimize manufacturing costs, and is therefore a strong competitor to locally grown corn. Viet Nam’s feed industry uses mainly DDGS imported from the United States.“

US DDGS exports to Viet Nam totaled 254,379 metric tons in 2009 and corn exports totaled 57,249 tons.

Vietnamese attendees rating the two-week program, which included educational sessions at the World Pork Expo, unanimously found the nutrition sessions to be “very beneficial.“

The Council regularly provides managerial and technical training to Vietnamese swine farmers.

“The programme itself is instrumental in assisting partner swine producers expand their operations, increase farm sizes and increase the use of feed grains DDGS and CGM in their operations,“ Mr Dorr said.