Irish beef enters Vietnam market for the first time

Irish beef has become available on the Vietnamese market for the first time after the country opened access to shipments in early 2026. Ireland identified Vietnam as a priority market for expanding meat exports back in 2017 and now aims to benefit from growing demand for imported products in a country of more than 100 mln people.

Ireland’s food board Bord Bia held a presentation of Irish beef in Ho Chi Minh City, attended by chefs, restaurant owners, local distributors and media representatives. The event focused on grass-fed beef and premium cuts for the foodservice sector.

According to Bord Bia, export opportunities are not limited to premium steaks. Vietnam has strong demand for a wide range of beef cuts in both the hotel and restaurant sector and for home consumption, while meat demand is increasingly exceeding domestic production capacity.

Hot-pot restaurant chains, as well as Korean and Japanese restaurants, are among the largest consumers of imported beef. Vietnam’s foodservice industry is estimated to include 350–400 thsd hotels, restaurants and cafés, while growth in the premium segment is creating additional demand for high-quality imported meat.

Irish exporters also benefit from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, which provides duty-free access for Irish beef to the market. Ireland expects to strengthen its position through grass-based production, strict quality controls and growing demand for products with verified origin.

Tags: Beef cattle, Ireland