The reason why does the US say Vietnam is a powerhouse importing corn

Vietnam has seen a significant increase in the import of corn and animal feed ingredients, with a surge of 24.3% in quantity and 47.4% in value in the first eight months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, due to the rapid growth in the meat industry. The average price of these ingredients has also risen by 16-46% due to supply shortages and Covid-19 transportation challenges. Despite being a major corn producer, Vietnam has relied heavily on imports and is projected to continue doing so, with corn making up the majority of these imports. The country's livestock industry has seen impressive growth, becoming the first in Southeast Asia in terms of industrial animal feed production, but it still depends heavily on imported raw materials. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is planning to reduce this dependence by expanding the area for grasses and forage crops, and by encouraging the rearing of buffaloes, cows, goats, and rabbits in association with the cultivation and processing of grass and by-products.