Canadian beef exporters seek bigger slab of Vietnamese market

More and more Canadian beef exporters are seeking a bigger share of the market in Viet Nam, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay told attendants of an event held in Ha Noi on Monday to introduce his country’s beef products. — VNS Photo

"Canada is a major world exporter of beef. When we talk about Canadian beef, we talk about safety, quality and sustainability,” he said.

Last year, Canada exported over US$2 billion in beef. Asia has become one of its priority markets, with Viet Nam ranked as a market with high potential, he said.

Attending the event, Heinz Reimer, Vice Chairman of Canada Beef, which is responsible for domestic and international beef and veal market development, said that Canadian exporters are penetrating the Vietnamese market in recent years. Vietnamese imports of Canadian beef last year reached about 320 tonnes, much higher than the estimated 20 tonnes of two or three years ago.

Reimer said Canada has favourable conditions to raise hardy cow herds, specifically vast land areas, rich grasslands and fields, fresh air, clean and safe water, all of which help prevent diseases. He also added that Canadian cows are fed mostly with grains so their meat has a unique flavour.

The Canadian organisation and businesses will work with the food services segment and retailers in Viet Nam to promote products, as well as study customer tastes, he said. — VNS