Mapping chicken production and distribution networks in Vietnam: An analysis of socio-economic factors and their epidemiological significances

Thi Dien, Nguyen; Thi Minh Khue, Nguyen; Ebata, Ayako; Fournié, Guillaume; Huyen, Le Thi Thanh; Van Dai, Nguyen; Tuan, Han Anh; Duc, Do Van; Thi Thanh Hoa, Pham; Van Duy, Nguyen; Ton, Vu Dinh; Alarcon, Pablo

Abstract

The growing chicken industry in Viet Nam has an increasingly important contribution to the country’s food security, but its development requires careful planning to prevent disease risks. This study characterizes the chicken production and distribution networks in Vietnam and identifies potential factors that could promote disease emergence and transmission. Qualitative data were collected from interviews with 29 key informants from five stakeholder groups representing the main nodes from chicken production and distribution networks (PDN). Three main networks were identified based on production type: a colored broiler and spent hen network, a white (or exotic) broiler network, and an egg network. Colored chickens and spent hens are the most preferred commodity by Vietnamese consumers and their PDN is composed of production units differing in their scale and management and long distribution chains involving numerous small-scale independent stakeholders. Live bird markets played a central role in this network, which is driven by consumers’ preference for live chickens. The white chicken network presents an important duality, as it is composed of both a large number of independent household farms and traders operating independently with little chain coordination, and of large farms contracted by vertically-integrated companies. The egg PDN was the most organized network, being mostly controlled by large vertically-integrated companies. High level of specialization and diversification of stakeholders is found in all three networks. Stakeholders’ perceptions of the main factors promoting disease risk along the PDN were the low biosecurity in household farms and live bird markets, the mobile traders, the informal slaughter of birds and the management of sick birds. Findings from this study can be used to plan future studies to support food system planners in the development of safer poultry production and distribution in Vietnam.

Citation

Thi Dien, N., Thi Minh Khue, N., Ebata, A., Fournié, G., Huyen, L. T. T., Van Dai, N., …Alarcon, P. (2023). Mapping chicken production and distribution networks in Vietnam: An analysis of socio-economic factors and their epidemiological significances. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 214, 105906. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.105906

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 22, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Mar 24, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Deposit Date: May 17, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: May 22, 2023
• Journal: Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Print ISSN: 0167-5877
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 214
• Pages: 105906
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.105906
• Keywords: Animal Science and Zoology; Food Animals
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Mapping chicken production and distribution networks in Vietnam: An analysis of socio-economic factors and their epidemiological significances; Journal Title: Preventive Veterinary Medicine; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.105906; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.