Australian beef is available in most of the supermarkets in Viet Nam. — Photo hanoimoi.com.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Viet Nam has become the second largest importer of Australian cattle, behind Indonesia, according to BeefCentral.com, a free news website and market intelligence service dedicated to the Australian beef industry.

The website said that from June 2013 to April 2014, Viet Nam imported 112,982 heads of cattle. Last year, the country ranked 11^th, importing 8,900 heads of cattle.

Meanwhile, Research Assistant Tess Marslen revealed in futuredirections.org.au, that demand for imported beef has increased exponentially in Viet Nam due to the expansion of the Vietnamese middle class.

Marslen also said that the growing number of supermarkets and the development of meat-oriented chain restaurants have created a huge opportunity for Australia in the live-beef export market. Live buffalo exports to Viet Nam are also flourishing.

The research assistant also said Vietnamese importers are currently investing in infrastructure to support the influx of Australian cattle, which are considered to be superior in quality.

Nguyen Dang Vang, president of the Viet Nam Husbandry Association told local media that the increasing import of Australian beef was because beef providers in Laos and Cambodia did not have enough for export.

In addition, Australian beef has also received better and more convenient procedures when exporting to Viet Nam.

Vang said there were 72,000 Australian heads of cattle imported since the beginning of this year, predicting it would reach 150,000 by the year-end.

Australian beef is sold in the supermarkets of big cities in Viet Nam.

On July 29, prices for Australian beef in the Vietnamese market have been listed at VND400,000 (US$19), VND254,000 ($12.1), VND185,000 ($8.8) per kilogramme of fillet, brisket and shank, respectively. The prices for local beef are listed at VND265,000 ($12.6); VND197,000($9.3) and VND147,000($7) respectively — VNS