Thanks to the joint efforts of the Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs, along with ambassadors from both countries, private companies, and ChileCarne, the poultry and pork industry is advancing in the animal health authorization process that could open a significant market for Chilean exports.
With a growing economy and a population exceeding 100 million, Vietnam has emerged as a key market for Chilean pork and poultry exports.
An animal health authorization is required to initiate trade between the two countries and to ship meat products. The process includes audits, which began in December 2024, conducted by Vietnam’s National Service for Agricultural and Livestock Health throughout the entire meat production chain, including farms, processing plants, and public and private laboratories. This milestone represents a strategic step to solidify Chile’s presence in this promising market.
According to Rodrigo Castañón, ChileCarne’s Business Manager, the strategy aims to enhance Chile’s image in ASEAN countries. This approach not only has the potential to secure new markets but also to create opportunities for diverse Chilean producers and products: “Our goal is clear: to solidify our position as global leaders in pork and poultry, diversifying markets and ensuring that our products reach the dinner tables of demanding consumers around the world.” He added that the Vietnamese audits not only confirm the Chilean industry’s high-quality standards but also reaffirm the sector’s commitment to market diversification. “Vietnam represents a desirable market for our industry. Its economy has been one of the fastest growing in recent decades, and there is a strong demand for quality products, making it an ideal destination for our pork and poultry exports. Moreover, since the Free Trade Agreement came into force in 2014 and with the support of the CPTPP, we now enjoy considerable competitive advantages,” Castañón noted.
The strategy to enter the Vietnamese market was intentional, aiming to expand Chile’s presence in Asia. It is the result of the collaboration between the Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs, the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), the Undersecretariat for Foreign Affairs, ambassadors from both countries, and private companies.
Throughout the years of establishing this public-private collaboration, ChileCarne has played a crucial role as an association, coordinating and supporting all parties involved in achieving each milestone leading to the animal health authorization. “Our role is to provide technical support to companies and ensure a smooth process. These audits not only validate our quality but also establish us as a reliable partner in international markets,” said Castañón.
As a result of these efforts, Chile is now regarded as a strategic and reliable partner for highly competitive markets with stringent entry requirements, such as Vietnam. Vietnam’s health, food safety, and quality standards are comparable to those of other demanding markets to which Chile exports. “One of Chile’s key strengths is that every company controls its production chain, allowing for rigorous health, quality, and food safety controls at every stage. This enables us to showcase the excellence of our production practices and our commitment to animal welfare and sustainability,” said ChileCarne’s representative.
Lessons learned from previous international audits have been instrumental in addressing the challenges presented by Vietnam. With active exports to over 50 markets, the Chilean industry continuously adapts to global requirements. “The most significant lessons we’ve applied are preparedness and teamwork. This mission could not have been accomplished without the close collaboration of SAG, pork and poultry exporting companies, and technical advisors. It helps us identify gaps and ensure that we meet, and even exceed international standards,” Castañón explained.
In addition to economic potential, sustainability is vital. The association’s representative highlighted how this approach resonates with the expectations of Vietnamese consumers: “In an increasingly conscious market, our commitment to sustainable and traceable practices helps differentiate us from international competitors. This not only benefits our sector but also enhances Chile’s positive image on the global stage.”
The collaboration between public and private institutions, which has proven successful in markets such as China, South Korea, and Japan, not only ensures a robust health process to continue expanding the Chilean offer in markets like Vietnam but also reinforces Chile’s status as a reliable trading partner and global leader in quality, sustainability, and innovation in meat production.
