Vietnam is sounding the alarm over a surge in African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks that threaten to disrupt pork supplies and impact the country’s food security.
According to the Vietnamese government, 514 ASF outbreaks have been reported this year across 28 of 34 cities and provinces. More than 30,000 infected pigs have already been culled in an effort to contain the disease.
Government statement:
“The risk of African swine fever is on a rising trend, negatively affecting the pig farming industry, food supplies, and the environment.”
ASF has been a global disruptor for years, with China’s 2018–2019 outbreak wiping out nearly half of its domestic pig herd and causing estimated losses of over $100 billion — shaking pork markets worldwide.
In Vietnam, the renewed wave of ASF has prompted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to issue an urgent directive to provinces and government agencies, calling for immediate action to curb the spread.
Vaccine Rollout Faces Challenges
Vietnam approved its first home-grown ASF vaccines for commercial use in 2023, marking a major step in the fight against the disease. However, vaccination rates remain low, raising concerns about availability, cost, and farmer confidence.
An animal health official from Quang Ngai province, one of the affected regions, noted that only about 30% of pigs have been vaccinated.
“It’s not clear why the rate is low — it could be due to vaccine availability, efficiency, or cost concerns,” another official commented anonymously.
Vietnamese vaccine producer AVAC Vietnam JSC reported selling 3 million doses domestically and exporting 600,000 doses to the Philippines and Indonesia. However, no official comment has been provided on the current vaccine supply or distribution challenges.
Global Implications
As one of Asia’s key pork producers, Vietnam’s ASF situation has potential ripple effects across regional pork markets, especially as global supplies remain sensitive following past disruptions. The coming months will be critical in determining whether containment efforts can stabilize the industry — or whether broader impacts on food security and trade will emerge.
Swine Web will continue to monitor this developing situation. For ongoing updates, visit swineweb.com.
