Imports were valued at USD 190-205 million, while meat and edible offal imports rose 26-37.6 per cent year on year. The association said tariff cuts under free trade agreements had boosted the competitiveness of imported poultry.
Frozen chicken leg quarters remained the largest import category at 130,000-140,000 tonnes, accounting for about 71.5 per cent of total imports. The low-priced product competes directly with domestically produced white chicken, particularly in institutional catering.
Frozen chicken wings accounted for 22,000-25,000 tonnes, or about 12 per cent of imports, mainly for fast-food chains and restaurants. Chicken feet and other by-products reached 16,000-18,000 tonnes, while whole frozen chickens totalled just 3,500-5,000 tonnes.
The United States remained Vietnam's largest supplier with 115,000-120,000 tonnes, followed by the European Union with 28,000-30,000 tonnes, led by Poland, and Brazil with 24,000-26,000 tonnes, mainly chicken wings and leg quarters.
The association said rising imports, particularly lower-priced products, continue to put pressure on domestic poultry producers despite increasing local output.
Meanwhile, Vietnam exported an estimated 4,800-5,200 tonnes of poultry meat in the first half, worth USD 45-48 million. Processed chicken accounted for more than 85 per cent of export value, reflecting a shift toward higher value-added products.
Japan remained the largest export market, accounting for more than half of export revenue, followed by Hong Kong, Cambodia and the Middle East. Vietnam also began exporting processed chicken to South Korea in April.