Statistics from the Customs Department showed Vietnam imported meat worth USD 2.04 billion between January 1 and September 15.
The data also highlighted a strong increase in meat imports compared with the same period last year.
In the first seven months of this year, poultry meat and edible offal remained Vietnam's largest imported meat category by volume, accounting for 36.49 per cent of total meat imports, equivalent to nearly 217,371 tonnes.
However, poultry products represented only 12.99 per cent of the total import value, at around USD 221.14 million. The average import price for poultry meat and by-products was approximately VND 26,500 (USD 1) per kilo.
Vietnam also spent USD 185.54 million importing 112,090 tonnes of chilled or frozen pork in the first seven months of this year. Compared with a year earlier, import volumes rose 27.1 per cent while import value fell 20.9 per cent.
The average import price of chilled or frozen pork dropped 38.4 per cent year-on-year to USD 1,638 per tonne, equivalent to about VND 43,000 per kilo (USD 1.6).
Buffalo meat imports reached 112,528 tonnes, with a total value of nearly USD 498 million. The average import price was approximately VND 115,000 per kilo.
Industry experts said the influx of low-priced imported meat was placing significant pressure on Vietnam's livestock sector. Many imported products are being sold at prices that intensify competition for domestically produced meat.