Hanoi – a symposium dedicated to enhancing Vietnam-Australia cooperation in the cattle raising sector was held on November 14, attracting over 100 delegates from various government bodies, associations, businesses, and universities of the two countries.

According to Vietnam News Agency, the event, according to the details shared, was organized as part of a project focusing on trade and innovation development cooperation in the cattle raising sector. This project is sponsored by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, Phung Duc Tien, remarked that the symposium represents a significant step in deepening agricultural engagement between Vietnam and Australia for the next fifty years. Tien highlighted the recent achievements in Vietnam’s agriculture sector, particularly in livestock, which contributed 25.26% to the country’s GDP in 2022.

The symposium underscored the evolution of Vietnam’s cattle raising sector towards more concentrated, professional, and specialized farming practices. Statistics revealed that in the first nine months of 2023, Vietnam’s total beef output reached 373,000 tonnes, marking a 2.4% increase year-on-year. Despite this progress, the domestic beef supply only meets about 45-50% of the country’s demand, necessitating imports to fill the gap.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Andrew Goledzinowski, emphasized the symposium’s role as a platform for identifying opportunities to apply and implement advanced technologies and practices in cattle raising. This initiative aims to ensure the industry’s competitiveness and its ability to meet market demands.

The event also focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation by fostering interactions among government officials, businesses, and researchers. It aimed to promote mutually beneficial relationships and sustainable beef production and business partnerships.

Key discussion points included the current status and future priorities of the cattle farming sector, market and trade considerations, strategies for achieving net-zero emissions in cattle ranching, development of profitable green feeding systems, and improvement of breeding and genetics in Vietnam.