Vietnam is battling a growing crisis as African Swine Fever (ASF) spreads rapidly, decimating pig populations and raising fears over food prices and food security.
As of early August, the country recorded 972 outbreaks, nearly doubling from 514 in mid-July. Over 100,000 pigs have died or been culled. ASF has now been confirmed in 30 of Vietnam’s 34 provinces, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
The government has sounded the alarm. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued an emergency directive urging tighter biosecurity, immediate culling of infected pigs, and accelerated vaccination efforts. ASF has no cure, and outbreaks can lead to devastating losses in pig-reliant communities.
A vaccine developed locally in 2023 had raised hopes of prevention, but uptake remains low. In Quang Ngai province, for instance, only around 30% of farms have vaccinated their pigs. One veterinary officer noted, “We do not know why uptake is low—it could be availability, cost, or trust.”
Pork Prices Rise, Small Farmers Struggle
Pork remains a staple in Vietnam, accounting for over 70% of meat consumption. The drop in supply has triggered price increases in some regions, while others report falling demand due to fear of contamination. In Hue, pork prices dropped from 105,000 dong per kilogram to 75,000 dong, as consumers switched to fish and chicken.
Farmers are suffering. Many have lost entire herds. One farmer in Hue said, “We have lost everything—all our savings were tied up in the pigs.” Others report dumping carcasses in rivers due to high disposal costs, raising environmental concerns.
While smaller farms suffer most from the outbreak, Vietnam’s large agribusinesses have shown resilience. Companies like Dabaco Group, BAF Vietnam, and Masan Group have reported higher profits this year, thanks to tighter biosecurity and industrial-scale operations.
Long-Term Impacts on Food Security and Rural Livelihoods
Dabaco posted over VNĐ1 trillion (US$39 million) in net profit in the first half of 2025, nearly 4.7 times higher than last year. BAF Vietnam sold over 330,000 pigs and doubled its herd size. Masan MEATLife saw a 66% rise in livestock revenue.
However, this raises questions about inequality in the agriculture sector. While large players expand, thousands of smallholder farmers face collapse. The Ministry of Agriculture has promised financial support and free vaccine distribution, but the rollout has been patchy so far.
ASF continues to spread in Asia and parts of Europe, threatening global pork supplies. For Vietnam, the stakes are high—not just for the economy, but for millions of families who rely on pork as a daily protein source and pigs as a livelihood.
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