Cargill shuts down aquafeed operations in Vietnam amid global restructuring
The decision comes despite Cargill’s longstanding presence in Vietnam and a US$160 million investment that included the construction of 12 feed mills with a total annual capacity of 1.6 million metric tons.
VIETNAM – Global agribusiness giant Cargill has exited Vietnam’s aquafeed market, closing two feed plants and a technology centre in a strategic shift that reflects the company’s realignment of global priorities.
The closures affect aquafeed production facilities in Đồng Tháp and Long An provinces and an aquaculture technology application centre in Tiền Giang.
The decision comes despite Cargill’s longstanding presence in Vietnam and a US$160 million investment that included the construction of 12 feed mills with a total annual capacity of 1.6 million metric tons.
Speaking to the Vietnam Livestock Journal, Maxime Hilbert, acting managing director of Cargill’s Aquaculture Nutrition Division in Thailand and Vietnam, said the exit is part of a broader company-wide strategic focus.
“This move reflects the company’s focus on long-term priorities in selected markets and livestock segments,” he said.
The closure follows a December 2024 announcement in which Cargill revealed a global restructuring plan, including a 5% cut in its workforce.
While Vietnam’s aquafeed output grew 7.8% in the first five months of 2025 to reach 3.64 million metric tons, Cargill’s local aquafeed performance has struggled over the past two years, prompting the withdrawal.
S&P Global reports that Cargill is “working closely with its employees to manage a transition” as operations wind down.
Vietnam’s aquafeed industry remains highly competitive, with regional and multinational players like C.P., Grobest, Japfa, BioMar, Sunjin, and CJ all expanding their presence.
In 2024, Thăng Long Group opened a new facility in Hải Dương, increasing its capacity to 700,000 metric tons annually, while YueHai broke ground on a 200,000-metric-ton plant in Vĩnh Long.
Cargill’s exit mirrors an earlier move by China’s Tong Wei, which reduced capacity at its Tiền Giang plant in 2015. The move also follows IFB Agro’s acquisition of Cargill’s shrimp and freshwater feed business in India.
Despite the aquafeed exit, Cargill remains active in Vietnam’s broader agribusiness landscape.
Since entering the market in February 1995, the company has grown to employ over 1,500 people across segments including animal nutrition and health, food and beverage ingredients, and agricultural supply chains.
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