The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in Vietnam has put forward a proposal to pilot multi-storey pig farming, positioning it as a transformative model for modernising the country’s livestock sector and enhancing productivity, Viet Nam News reports.

In a report submitted to the Prime Minister on Thursday, Deputy Minister Phùng Đức Tiến stated that two domestic firms—BAF Việt Nam Agriculture Joint Stock Company and Xuân Thiện Thanh Hóa Joint Stock Company—were seeking approval to implement the model.

BAF Việt Nam is spearheading the initiative with plans to construct a six-storey, smart pig farming complex in Tây Ninh Province. In collaboration with China’s Muyuan Group, the world’s largest pig farming enterprise, the facility aims to house 64,000 sows and produce approximately 1.6mn commercial pigs annually.

With an estimated investment of over VND12 trillion (around $457mn), the project is forecast to generate revenues of up to VND13 trillion (roughly $495mn) each year. The investment is expected to be recouped over a period of just over five years.

The proposal draws inspiration from China, where the rising demand for pork—accounting for over 60% of total meat consumption—has led to a surge in vertical farming solutions. Since 2018, China has established over 2,000 multi-storey pig farms, comprising nearly 4,500 high-rise pig buildings producing upwards of 30mn pigs annually.

According to the ministry’s assessment, the vertical model offers significant advantages over traditional pig farming. Key benefits include a substantial reduction in land use—improving land-use efficiency by more than four times—and lower infrastructure and labour costs. One worker can manage up to 2,000 pigs under this system.

Advanced technologies play a central role in the model’s operation. Artificial intelligence, blockchain, automated systems and real-time sensor-based monitoring are integrated to improve herd management. These technologies enable early disease detection, accurate tracking of weight gain and more efficient feeding systems.

Biosecurity is another core strength of the approach. Sophisticated waste and emissions treatment systems not only reduce water usage and environmental impact but also produce organic fertilisers for use in agriculture. A four-layer air filtration system is designed to eliminate over 95% of odours and sterilise outgoing air, significantly reducing the risk of diseases such as African swine fever and porcine epidemic diarrhoea.

Vietnam’s pig farming industry currently accounts for 62–65% of the nation’s total meat production. National output is projected to reach 5.2mn tonnes in 2025, placing the country sixth globally. With average per capita pork consumption at 37.04kg, Vietnam ranks fourth in the world.