After four years of research and feeding, Japanese Kobe beef raised in Vietnam has been launched on to the market under the name KVB Kuroge by the Kobe Cow Vietnam JSC.

Vietnam is the seventh country in the world to raise the breed, in Tan Lac and Bao Lam districts in the central highlands province of Lam Dong.

It was the brainchild of Mr. Dang Van Thanh, Chairman of the Thanh Thanh Cong Trading JSC, and Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, General Director the Kem Nghia Company, following a trip to Japan to visit friends.

They bought one kilo of Kobe beef in Japan for $170 while in Vietnam it was selling for $500 to $1,000 per kilo.

Realizing an attractive business opportunity, they immediately hatched plans to develop the precious breed in Vietnam.

Kobe F1 is reared in accordance with Japanese processes under the direction of a Japanese expert. The selling price of Kuroge is about VND3 million ($133) per kilogram.

Cow feed is a mixture from Vietnamese agricultural products such as corn, rice, and sweet potatoes, and is fed according to the age, sex, and health of the cattle.

The cattle are also kept in the cool temperatures of the highlands and the best in health conditions are created.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Tri Vu, General Director of Kobe Cow Vietnam JSC, it is expected that next year the company will raise 500 Kobe cows and 1,000 by 2020.