Vietnam Food

What Vietnam Food does

Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) is a Vietnamese processor founded in 2014 that operates a biotechnological zero-waste production model to convert shrimp co-products (heads and shells) into value-added ingredients. The company offers four product lines: BioPolymers (chitin, chitosan, and chitosan derivatives for pharmaceutical, functional food, and biopackaging applications), Food Ingredients (SHRIMPY shrimp powder, SHRIMPZYME spray-dried powder, SHRIMPRO seasoning, SHRIMPSAUCE sauce, SHRIMPOIL tomalley oil, and SHRIMZYME extract), BioNutrients (PalaActivate and NutriActivate low-molecular-weight peptide products for aquafeed, animal feed, and agriculture), and Natural Astaxanthin. The biotechnological process recovers more than 60% of input resources and achieves more than 10x value addition from raw materials, while reducing water and chemical consumption by 60-80% versus traditional chitin production.

VNF serves B2B customers through direct enterprise field sales from its Ho Chi Minh City headquarters and R&D center, with two manufacturing facilities in Ca Mau and Hau Giang provinces in Vietnam's Mekong Delta shrimp-producing region. Named customers include major food manufacturers (Acecook, Vedan, CJ, Orion), animal feed producers (CP Group, De Heus, Greenfeed), seafood processor Minh Phu, and biopolymer customer JBI Chem. The company's go-to-market combines enterprise sales hotlines, technical workshops, and an event-driven presence at industry conferences (VietShrimp, ILDEX Vietnam, Biotech Vietnam, IPVS 2026). Revenue mechanics consist primarily of one-time B2B ingredient sales, supplemented by international technology licensing through the RetriV Oceania platform, which deploys nutrient recovery technology in Australia and New Zealand via partnership with Desilting Solutions.

The company is privately held, employs 251-500 people, and pursues a horizontal segmentation strategy across food & beverage, aquafeed & animal feed, pharmaceuticals & functional products, agriculture, and shrimp farming cooperatives. Strategic priorities indicated by recent activity include international expansion, circular-economy product development (molted shrimp shell processing), and vertical expansion into livestock and pet nutrition.

Name

Vietnam Food

Legal name

Vietnam Food JSC

Website

https://vnfoods.vn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) is a Vietnamese biotech processor that transforms shrimp co-products into chitin/chitosan biopolymers, food ingredients, and bioactive peptide feed additives, supplying B2B manufacturers across food, aquafeed, animal feed, and agricultural sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Bio-based Ingredients Manufacturing

NAICS

Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (3117), Animal Food Manufacturing (31111)

SIC

Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Seafood By-Products & Fishmeal/Fish Oil Processing (Rendering, Hydrolysates, Collagen) (AFANADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ready-to-Eat Seafood (Cooked Shrimp, Crab, Lobster, Surimi) (AFANALAC), Marinated & Seasoned Seafood (Value-Added Raw/Par-Cooked) (AFANALAE), Refrigerated Meat & Seafood (Processed/Packaged) (CRADACAK)

Keywords

• Shrimp co-product processing
• Chitin and chitosan production
• Bio-nutrient manufacturing
• Aquatic feed ingredients
• Biopolymer manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Ho Chi Minh City

HQ country

Vietnam

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. BioPolymers (Chitin, Chitosan, Derivatives): Sale of chitin, chitosan, and chitosan derivative products derived from shrimp shell processing. These are sold to pharmaceuticals, functional food, biopackaging, and other industrial customers.
2. Food Ingredients (Shrimp Powder, Sauce, Extracts): Sale of food ingredients including SHRIMPY (shrimp powder), SHRIMPZYME (spray-dried shrimp powder), SHRIMPRO (shrimp seasoning), SHRIMPSAUCE (shrimp sauce), SHRIMPOIL (shrimp tomalley oil), and SHRIMZYME (shrimp extract) to food manufacturers.
3. BioNutrients (PalaActivate, NutriActivate): Sale of premium, high-quality bio-stimulant products for aquatic feed, animal feed, and agriculture applications. Products contain low-molecular-weight peptides and free amino acids.
4. RetriV Nutrient Recovery Technology Licensing: International commercialization of nutrient recovery technology through partnerships such as RetriV Oceania, generating licensing revenue from technology deployment outside Vietnam.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Vietnam Food (VNF) processes shrimp heads and shells — co-products of shrimp processing — into value-added bio-based ingredients using its proprietary RetriV biotechnological zero-waste production method. The company manufactures three product families: BioPolymers (chitin, chitosan, and chitosan derivatives), Food Ingredients (shrimp-based powders, seasonings, sauces, and oils under the SHRIMP* brand line), and BioNutrients (PalaActivate and NutriActivate formulations) for downstream industrial buyers.

Product overview

Vietnam Food (VNF) operates as a processing company that transforms shrimp co-products (shrimp heads and shells) into value-added ingredients across three product lines: BioPolymers (Chitin, Chitosan, and chitosan derivatives for pharmaceuticals, functional food, and biopackaging), Food Ingredients (SHRIMPY, SHRIMPZYME, SHRIMPRO, SHRIMPSAUCE, SHRIMPOIL, and SHRIMZYME for natural food applications), and BioNutrients (PalaActivate™ and NutriActivate™ for aquatic and animal feed). The company employs biotechnological zero-waste production methods to recover nutrients from shrimp co-products, creating a comprehensive eco-friendly product portfolio that addresses various agricultural and industrial sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RetriV: Nutrient recovery technology brand for converting waste into valuable nutrients, now expanded internationally through RetriV Oceania

Products and services

• Chitin BioPolymer-grade chitin extracted from shrimp shell co-products; a raw intermediate for industrial buyers in biomedical, cosmetic, food, and agricultural applications.
• Chitosan Deacetylated derivative of chitin produced from shrimp shells; sold as a functional biopolymer to industrial manufacturers across food, water treatment, agriculture, and pharma sectors.
• Chitosan derivative products Modified chitosan variants produced from shrimp-derived chitosan for specialized industrial applications.
• SHRIMPY (shrimp powder) Spray-dried shrimp powder ingredient produced from shrimp co-products using VNF's RetriV process; sold as a flavor and protein ingredient for food manufacturers.
• SHRIMPZYME (spray dried shrimp powder) Enzyme-treated spray-dried shrimp powder ingredient for food manufacturers seeking enhanced functional properties.
• SHRIMPRO (shrimp seasoning) Shrimp-based seasoning ingredient for industrial food manufacturers producing flavored finished products.
• SHRIMPSAUCE (shrimp sauce) Liquid shrimp sauce ingredient for food manufacturers producing umami-flavored finished products.
• SHRIMPOIL (shrimp tomalley oil) Oil extracted from shrimp tomalley (hepatopancreas) for use as a flavor and nutritional lipid ingredient in food manufacturing.
• SHRIMZYME (shrimp extract) Enzymatic shrimp extract ingredient used as a concentrated flavor and functional component in food manufacturing.
• PalaActivate™ BioNutrient formulation derived from shrimp co-products, positioned for aquaculture and agricultural applications to enhance biological activity and growth performance.
• NutriActivate™ BioNutrient formulation produced from shrimp-derived raw materials for agricultural and feed applications as a bioactive nutrient ingredient.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 10x value addition from raw materials through the product portfolio
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Can Tho University (CTU) - College of Aquaculture and FisheriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Long-standing academic partnership supporting R&D, talent development, and technology transfer. Many VNF team members are CTU alumni. VNF attended CTU's 50th anniversary and collaborates on shrimp industry research and innovation projects.
• Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry (NLU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Joint research with Dr. Ngo Hong Phuong on applications of shrimp peptides in animal and pet nutrition. Co-presented research at IPVS 2026.
• Vietnam National University of AgricultureminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Academic collaboration partner for R&D activities in aquaculture and agricultural biotechnology.
• Foreign Trade University (FTU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Collaboration through FTU's FIIS (Innovation and Incubation Space) on startup ecosystem development. VNF participated as Host Organization in Shinhan Square Bridge 2026. Strategic collaboration director Ms. Nguyen Van An spoke at FIIS-UN Women event on inclusive business.
• GIZ Vietnam (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Pilot project collaboration on processing molted shrimp shells from high-density lined pond farming systems, part of GIZ's support for sustainable aquaculture. Collaboration with Hoa Nghia cooperative collecting 200+ kg of molted shells.
• R.E.P BiotechcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Strategic partnership signed May 18, 2026 to develop biological and nutritional solutions for livestock, combining VNF's bioactive extraction capabilities with R.E.P Biotech's nutrition solution platform. Focus on reducing antibiotic dependence and improving animal health.
• Desilting Solutions PTY LTDcoreTechnology or Integration · 23 June 2026Australia-based partner in the RetriV Oceania MOU, working with VNF/RetriV on nutrient recovery technology deployment in Australia. Conducted on-site jar tests at rendering and pet food plants.
• UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026VNF co-hosted a regional UNIDO webinar 'Upcycling Shrimp By-Products: Practical Solutions for a Circular Economy' attracting over 500 participants from multiple countries.
• VFC (Viet Fertilizer Company)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Partner in the Scientific Consultation Workshop on sustainable crop agriculture, sharing practical experience working with farmers on agricultural solutions.
• BioSpringminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Partner in sustainable agriculture workshop, contributing expertise on microbial solutions for soil health and plant vigor.
• Moscow FeedminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Feed industry partner engaged through VNF's Sharing is Caring initiative series, building collaborative relationships through honest exchanges and shared learning.
• Hoa Nghia Agricultural CooperativeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Pilot project with 25 farming households on 90 ha collecting molted shrimp shells. Potential of 35-40 tons per year. Part of the circular economy model for shrimp pond waste management.
• Viet Uc GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Shrimp breeding company with 20+ years of genetic research. VNF attended VU-S26 product launch and shares commitment to science-driven innovation in aquaculture.
• Cuu Long Delta Rice Research Institute (CLRRI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Contributed insights at VNF's scientific consultation workshop on sustainable crop agriculture solutions for 2026-2030.
• Southern Horticultural Research Institute (SOFRI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Contributed insights at VNF's scientific consultation workshop on sustainable crop agriculture solutions for 2026-2030.
• Shinh an Square Bridge 2026 / Shinhan BankminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2026VNF participated as a Host Organization in Shinhan Square Bridge - Social Open Innovation 2026, connecting startups with the business ecosystem.
• Lai Thieu FeedmillminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Feed company developing nutritional solutions for Koi fish. VNF supports collaboration among companies to develop practical solutions for the aquaculture sector.
• Quest Ventures, BlackFrost, Pullulo, HaruPlate, Spectrifyai, Menulance (Singapore Delegation)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2026Singapore-based sustainable food sector companies visiting VNF as part of the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) initiative by the Singapore Government, exploring technological innovation connections.
• BSSC (Business School Sustainability Club)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Joint field visit to guava farm as part of UNDP-supported Plastics Innovation Programme (PIP), preparing for workshop on biological solutions from shrimp by-products.

Scale indicators8 records

Direct peers

• KitoZyme: Belgian manufacturer of chitosan and fungal chitosan derivatives (KiOnutrime) for nutraceuticals and medical devices. Comparable specialty chitosan derivative portfolio and downstream positioning.
• Primex ehf: Iceland-based manufacturer of chitin and chitosan from North Atlantic shrimp shells. Directly comparable as a shellfish-derived biopolymer producer serving food, pharma, and cosmetics customers globally.
• Tidal Vision: US-based chitosan producer converting crab and shrimp shell waste into biopolymers for water treatment, food, and agriculture. Comparable bioconversion model and downstream customer overlap.
• Heppe Medical Chitosan: German chitosan specialist producing high-purity chitosan and derivatives for pharma, cosmetics, and food applications. Comparable high-grade chitin/chitosan manufacturing focus.

Regional players

• Minh Phu Seafood: Vietnam's largest shrimp processor and a listed VNF customer. Comparable as a regional shrimp value-chain incumbent and key upstream source of co-product feedstock.

Broad incumbents

• Alltech: Global animal nutrition and feed additive company with aquaculture and pet lines. Comparable as a broad incumbent in BioNutrients and bioactive feed markets overlapping with VNF's PalaActivate/NutriActivate.
• BioMar: Global aquafeed manufacturer sourcing sustainable marine proteins and bioactive ingredients. Comparable demand-side overlap with VNF's BioNutrients line for shrimp and finfish feed.
• Thai Union Group: Global seafood processor with shrimp operations and active by-product utilization programs. Comparable upstream/downstream footprint in shrimp value chain and ingredient diversification.
• Skretting (Nutreco): Global aquafeed leader and customer for bioactive feed ingredients. Comparable on the BioNutrients demand side as a major buyer of shrimp-derived peptides and amino acids for aquafeed.
• Diana Foods (Symrise Diana): Symrise division producing natural food ingredients and seafood-derived flavors/extracts. Comparable as a broad incumbent in shrimp-derived food ingredients and seasonings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/vnfoods.vn
• Xx.com/vnfoods
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vnf

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vietnam Food