Singapore officially opens its market to some poultry meat and egg products from Vietnam.

In recent times, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has actively coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment through working sessions at the Ministry's leadership and technical levels to advocate policies and request Singapore to open its market for agricultural products, especially livestock products from Vietnam. According to information from the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore, on March 11, 2025, the Singapore Food Authority (SFA) issued an official document approving the opening of the import market for some livestock products from Vietnam, marking an important step forward in agricultural trade relations between the two countries.

Bộ Công thương•01/04/2025

Approved products include thermally processed poultry meat (from CPV Food Co LTd and MeatDeli HN Company Ltd); and canned/sterilized poultry eggs and meat (excluding beef) at high temperature and high pressure as recommended by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine. Singapore's opening of its market to some Vietnamese meat and egg products is expected to bring a significant boost to Vietnam's livestock product export turnover.

In 2024, Vietnam's livestock product export turnover will reach more than 533 million USD, an increase of 6.5% compared to 2023 [1] . On the Singapore side, according to data periodically announced by the Singaporean authorities, in 2024, Singapore imported more than SGD 3.87 billion [2] worth of poultry meat and eggs from the world. Of which, the value of fresh, chilled or frozen meat products is more than SGD 1.69 billion; the value of processed meat products is SGD 216 million and the value of poultry eggs is more than SGD 261 million.

Singapore imports more than 90% of its food, and is also known for its strict sanitary and phytosanitary standards. In terms of food safety regulations in Singapore, all imported food must meet the strict requirements of the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). Food can only be brought in by licensed importers and all shipments must be declared and accompanied by a valid import permit. Meat and meat products must be imported through approved sources from countries that have been certified to meet Singapore's food safety requirements.

To be approved to export to the Singapore market, Vietnamese ministries, branches and enterprises have closely coordinated with the Singapore Food Authority (SFA) to conduct rigorous on-site and online surveys, inspections and assessments. Two enterprises, Meatdeli Hanoi Co., Ltd. and CPV Food Co., Ltd., have invested in innovating production processes and technologies, complying with SFA standards (including food safety systems, standard operating regulations, traceability and worker training). Therefore, these two enterprises were approved to export heat-processed poultry products to Singapore. In addition, SFA also opened the market for canned/sterilized poultry eggs and meat (excluding beef) at high temperature and high pressure (according to the list of recommendations of Vietnamese authorities).

This success is proof that livestock products in particular, and agricultural products in general, of Vietnam have the ability and great potential to conquer demanding markets. This is a significant milestone for the livestock industry of Vietnam, an important premise not only for the licensed enterprises this time but also a stepping stone for other enterprises to penetrate the Singapore market - a market with extremely strict regulations and standards. However, this is also a challenge for enterprises in controlling and maintaining stable quality and output to maintain a foothold in a market with many competitors.

Singapore is the second largest cargo transit hub in the world, so exporting to the Singapore market is also a stepping stone for Vietnamese livestock products to access the market and expand the supply chain to other countries in the region and the world. In the coming time, businesses need to continue investing in technology, strictly comply with food hygiene and safety standards, regularly update Singaporean standards, promote industry promotion and closely coordinate with management agencies to maintain their reputation in the international market./.

[1] Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , “Livestock product export turnover in 2024 reaches over 533 million USD” , Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Electronic Information Portal, accessed March 28, 2025.

[2] Equivalent to 2.91 billion USD, calculated at the exchange rate of 1 USD = 1.33 SGD on March 28, 2025 of UOB Bank.

Source: Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore

Source: https://moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/thi-truong-nuoc-ngoai/singapore-chinh-thuc-mo-cua-thi-truong-mot-so-san-pham-thit-va-trung-gia-cam-tu-viet-nam.html