AFIA Applauds New Health Certificate For Exporting Pet Food Products to Vietnam

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) commends the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for releasing new international regulations for exporting dry pet food to Vietnam, after many years of discussions with the AFIA.

APHIS’s new export health certificate for dry pet food will make shipping products to the Southeast Asian country more consistent and transparent.

“For years, the AFIA has urged APHIS to finalize its health certificate for exporting dry pet food products to Vietnam to make it easier for U.S. companies to do business there,” said AFIA President and CEO Constance Cullman.

“APHIS’s negotiated export health certificates provide a clear and comprehensive set of guidelines for U.S. exporters to follow and ensure their products meet the standards required by foreign governments.

By complying with these regulations, U.S. exporters can minimize the risk of their products being rejected or banned from foreign markets and ensure the continued success of their export business.”

Vietnam is a market of interest for the AFIA and a country of opportunity for U.S. pet food companies, given the country has a rapidly growing middle class with pet owners that want to feed their pets healthier diets, and U.S. complete and balanced pet food is one way to achieve that.

In just the past five years, Vietnam’s total pet food imports increased 69%.

While U.S. pet food exports to Vietnam still remain small, removing market access roadblocks, such as the lack of a negotiated health certificate, will allow U.S. exporters to better compete for this growing demand.