Japan increases Wagyu beef production to Vietnam

With strong growth demand in the Vietnamese market, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan has chosen Ho Chi Minh City as a strategic destination to consume Kuroge Wagyu beef.

Currently, some stores in Ho Chi Minh City are selling Wagyu Kuroge beef tenderloin, a special part of the meat, for about 5 million VND/kg - Photo: N.BINH

Kagoshima Prefecture is famous for its Kuroge Wagyu breed and is one of the three provinces that raise the most Wagyu cattle in Japan with more than 350,000 heads. It is looking to boost consumption in the Vietnamese market.

During a market promotion trip to Ho Chi Minh City in late November 2024, Ms. Erena Ikoma - Deputy Technical Director and Head of Livestock Promotion Department - Kagoshima Government Meat Export Federation Office - said that Vietnam is one of the local markets chosen as a promotion destination after Taiwan and the US this year.

According to statistics, the amount of Wagyu beef imported into Vietnam has increased from 2 tons/year 10 years ago to 39 tons this year. However, this number is still modest compared to the region.

“We see great potential in Vietnam, a market where many customers are willing to spend on premium products to enhance their culinary experience,” Ms. Ikoma emphasized.

In 2022, Kuroge Wagyu cattle from Kagoshima Prefecture won big at the Wagyu Olympics - the world's most prestigious event held every five years with strict evaluation criteria for meat quality, marbling, and care conditions. In particular, the prefecture's beef proudly topped 6 out of 9 categories at the most recent competition, cementing its reputation as the locality with the top quality beef breed in Japan.

With its premium quality, Wagyu beef is also served on the sashimi menu - Photo: N.BINH

There are currently 99 Wagyu beef stores certified for distribution worldwide, with two stores in Vietnam. All stores selling Wagyu from Kagoshima are certified with strict standards, ensuring customers recognize and feel secure about the product quality.

According to Ms. Lam Thi Hoang Truc - representative of Phan Thanh Akuruhi Company, one of two locations distributing Wagyu Kuroge beef in Vietnam, the main consumption channel for this high-end product is through restaurants and hotels.

The price of Wagyu beef in supermarkets in Vietnam is currently sold at 2-5 million VND/kg. However, not only as a food, Wagyu beef is also chosen by Vietnamese customers as a luxurious gift, a symbol of health. Recently, Wagyu beef has appeared in many Vietnamese dishes such as beef noodle soup, salad, sashimi... making this ingredient more popular.

In addition to expanding distribution channels, Kagoshima Prefecture also aims to organize more promotional events to introduce not only Wagyu beef but also other agricultural and seafood products to Vietnamese consumers, such as Shochu Kojika wine, amberjack, and Japanese red sea bream.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhat-ban-tang-san-luong-thit-bo-wagyu-sang-viet-nam-20241130103050689.htm