Canada’s Manitoba seeks to export piglets, pork products to Vietnam

Kostyshyn told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that before entering public office, he had spent 40 years working in agricultural production.

Introducing Manitoba, he described the province as resource-rich and one of Canada’s leading agricultural regions.

“We produce large quantities of canola, soybeans, and feed grains, products for which Vietnam has significant demand,” he said.

According to Kostyshyn, Vietnam and Manitoba have many areas of common interest in agriculture, and the province would like to welcome Vietnamese individuals and organizations to visit Manitoba to learn more about its resources and agricultural capabilities.

“We have many similarities, particularly in food production,” he said. “Manitoba produces large volumes of canola, soybeans, and wheat. Vietnam also has considerable demand for wheat from Manitoba.”

He added that Vietnam, in turn, is a major supplier of fruits and vegetables that are increasingly attracting interest from consumers in Manitoba.

During his visit to Vietnam, Kostyshyn said his delegation met with representatives of Vietnam’s dairy industry.

Manitoba is home to numerous dairy farms and has accumulated decades of experience in dairy farming and high-quality milk production.

“These are areas where Manitoba can share expertise through cooperation and trade, exchanging ideas and experience with international partners for mutual benefit,” he said.

Kostyshyn said the pork industry was one of the sectors that particularly interested him during his visit to Vietnam, noting that pork remains an important food product for Vietnamese consumers.

Manitoba is very proud of the swine genetics and pork quality that it has developed, Kostyshyn said.

According to the minister, Manitoba exports about three million weaned piglets annually to the U.S. state of Iowa.

The province has earned recognition for maintaining a strong biosecurity system that helps minimize disease risks.

Manitoba’s pig herd is also highly regarded for its genetic quality, with the animals contributing to efficient pork production and meeting market requirements for meat quality, he added.

As a result, Manitoba is ready to pursue commercial cooperation opportunities with Vietnam, including supplying genetic resources to support the development of Vietnam’s pig farming sector.

In addition to genetics, Manitoba’s leading food processing companies export processed pork products to markets around the world, and the province is also looking for opportunities to supply processed pork products to Vietnam.

“I believe that as discussions continue, we will discover many shared interests and ideas that we can exchange,” Kostyshyn said.

“That is how business relationships are built and developed, creating benefits for Vietnam, Manitoba, and Canada.”