This study assessed the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on animal source food retailers and consumers in Vietnam and Cambodia. The study found that 86% of retailers reported decreased incomes of 48% on average during social distancing periods due to the pandemic. While after the first wave, 54% still reported decreased incomes of 38% on average. Most consumers also reported decreased incomes of 20-35% mainly due to job losses. However, food safety behaviors improved, as most consumers agreed they had better hygiene practices when shopping and preparing food due to the pandemic. The findings suggest COVID-19 negatively impacted businesses and incomes, but improved some food safety practices.

1. Assessing impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on animal source food retailers and
consumers in Vietnam and Cambodia
Sinh Dang-Xuan1, Nga Nguyen-Thi-Duong2, Chhay Ty3, Hung Pham-Van2, Fred Unger1, Hung Nguyen-Viet1
1Animal and Human Health, International Livestock Research Institute, Hanoi, Vietnam; 2Faculty of Economics and Rural Development, Vietnam National University of
Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam; 3Livestock Development for Community Livelihood Organization, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The COVID-19 pandemic
is causing considerable
impacts on health,
business, economy, and life
globally.
This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study using a face-to-
face interview, after the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic occurring
in Vietnam and Cambodia.
1. INTRODUCTION
2. METHODOLOGY
300 Animal source food
retailers (pork, poultry,
beef, fish)
Study locations
3. RESULTS
Fig 3. Compared to before COVID-19 outbreak (before Feb 2020, or at the
same time last year), how is your ASF selling income changed?
4. CONCLUSIONS
Eighty-six percent (258/300) ASF retailers reported that their income
deceased with average of 48.2%, 11% without changing, and 2.7%
increased (by 32.5%) during the social distancing period. While 54.3%
(163/300) reported their decreased income at 37.7%, 36.0% (108/300)
without changing, and 9.3% increase (by 26.6%) after the first wave of
COVID-19. There was no significant difference in income decrease
between rural and peri-urban/urban sellers either during social (p=0.76,
t.test) or after COVID-19 (p=0.53, t.test).
These findings suggest that COVID-19 pandemic affected negatively
business activities and incomes of ASF retailers and consumers.
However, food safety behaviours were improved. Relevant
recommendations need to be formulated to support ASF retailing
business and improve food safety practices of both retailers and
consumers because of COVID-19.
Fig 2. Changes in average amount of ASF (Kg/day) retailers sell per
day from three periods of the COVID-19
Contact: Sinh Dang-Xuan (S.Dang@cgiar.org); Fred Unger (F.unger@cgiar.org)
This poster has a Creative Commons license. You are free to re-use or distribute this work, provided credit is given to ILRI.
Fig 1. Map of
study sites in 6
provinces (red
circles) in
Vietnam and
Cambodia from
Sep to Dec 2020
Map source:
https://i.pinimg.com/origi
nals/13/54/1b/13541beb2
402e15bb189393c3c3002
a4.jpg
308 consumers
During the social distancing, 27% retailers revealed it was more difficult to
source ASF to sell but facilitated increasing food safety practice
compliance. Seventy-four (228/308) consumers had income decreased
from 20-35% mainly due to reduced jobs, no significant difference was
observed between rural and urban consumers. Almost 80% of consumers
agreed that they had better practices in looking for a good hygiene practice
shop to buy ASF, washing hands and kitchen equipment as due to COVID-
19 pandemic.
During this pandemic, an important aspect for governments and authorities
is to ensure adequate and safe food sources, especially in infected areas
(lane, apartment, commune or city), or when heavy lockdown and
restrictions are applied.