A market systems analysis of the beef sector in Son La Province, Vietnam

Thinh, N.T, Thanh, L.Q, Rao, E.J.O. 2025. A market systems analysis of the beef sector in Son La Province, Vietnam. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

The CGIAR has launched Science Programs to advance its 2030 strategy, including the Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods (SAAF) Science Program. SAAF aims to sustainably improve animal and aquatic food systems in 17 countries, focusing on productivity, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability through six integrated research areas: productivity improvement; climate and environment; One Health; market systems, policy solutions and scaling; gender and youth; and digital innovations. In Vietnam, SAAF works in Son La and Thai Nguyen provinces, targeting pig and beef cattle value chains. Vietnam’s beef market is growing, with consumption at 5.0 kg per capita in 2022 and an expected annual increase of 2.34% through 2032 (Nguyen et al., 2024). Productivity, however, is limited by poor input services, feed shortages, limited farmer skills, and fragmented value chains. Son La, home to the country’s second-largest cattle herd and strong livestock strategies, still falls short of its production potential (Huyen et al., 2018). Ethnic minority farmers, especially women, face low productivity and limited market access (Pazos Cardenas et al., 2025).