Japan’s Sojitz launches $500 mln beef processing plant in Vietnam

Sojitz on Tuesday put its $500 million beef processing plant in the northern province of Vinh Phuc into operation, the Japanese firm said in a release.

The facility (Tam Dao Farm), one of the largest in Vietnam, is the first in Vietnam to process refrigerated beef, and all meat will be processed in a controlled, highly sanitized environment, according to Sojitz.

The firm aims to soon increase the plant’s annual slaughter capacity to 30,000 cattle heads and process 10,000 tons of meat.

The beef products will be distributed using Sojitz’s four-temperature, cold-chain logistics service in Vietnam with plans to conduct sales to mid- to high-end hotels and restaurants in the customer network of local firm Dai Tan Viet JSC, which is Sojitz's largest commercial food wholesaler in Vietnam.

In March 2025, Sojitz plans to start operating a cattle farm near the processing plant and will provide a stable supply of high-quality beef products through an integrated system for all processes from farming to processing and sales, which can enrich the food culture in the country.

Sojitz highlighted the potential of the beef market in Vietnam, as the country’s consumption is modest at 500,000 tons a year, half of that in Japan. Beef consumption in Vietnam is expected to increase in line with the growing population and the rising income of citizens.

Vietnam’s meat market focuses more on pork and chicken, according to Sojitz.

In March 2023, Sojitz and Vietnam’s largest dairy manufacturer Vinamilk broke ground on their $500-million complex in Vinh Phuc province for raising cows and supplying beef. The project, a 49-51 joint venture between Sojitz and Vinamilk subsidiary Vilico, covers 76 hectares in Tam Dao district of the province.