Introduction: Why Vietnamese Buyers Rely on Sodium Bicarbonate
As Vietnam’s food production, livestock farming, and aquaculture industries continue to grow, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) has become a widely used and highly versatile raw material. From bánh phở production lines to shrimp ponds in the Mekong Delta, Vietnamese companies are using sodium bicarbonate to enhance texture, regulate pH, and improve product consistency.
For importers, the challenge is sourcing reliable supply — consistent mesh size, clean labeling, HALAL certification, and proper documentation are key factors. In this article, we explore how sodium bicarbonate is used in Vietnam and what buyers need to consider when importing from China.
Vietnam’s food industry depends on sodium bicarbonate for several technical roles. Below are the most common use cases:
✅ a) Rice Noodles (Bánh phở, bún)
Baking soda helps regulate pH and expand starches, improving the chewiness and elasticity of rice noodles. Manufacturers often prefer 80–100 mesh grades for smoother incorporation into flour blends.
Rice noodle factory using sodium bicarbonate in Vietnam
✅ b) Baked Goods (Cakes, Cookies, Crackers)
As a leavening agent, sodium bicarbonate reacts with acidic ingredients to release CO₂, enabling expansion and softness. It’s essential in producing sponge cakes, mochi, and Vietnamese-style cream bread. Food-grade certification (HALAL, ISO) is often a mandatory requirement for bakery exporters.
✅ c) Fried Snacks & Savory Foods
From chả giò to bánh tôm, Vietnamese processors use sodium bicarbonate to achieve crispier texture and prevent oil absorption. The product must be free-flowing, moisture-stable, and ideally stored in 25kg PE-lined woven bags.
✅ d) Carbonated Beverages
Sodium bicarbonate can serve as a buffering agent or secondary carbonation enhancer in sparkling drinks. Though less common, beverage manufacturers occasionally use it to fine-tune formulas and control acidity.
🐓 2. Role in Livestock Feed Formulations
Vietnam is one of Asia’s fastest-growing producers of poultry, pigs, and cattle. Sodium bicarbonate is widely added to feed for the following reasons:
✅ a) Acid-Base Regulation
Baking soda helps maintain optimal rumen pH in cattle, preventing acidosis and improving digestion. In poultry, it reduces heat stress and supports proper electrolyte balance.
Feed mill using baking soda in livestock diets
✅ b) Sodium Source
In swine and broiler diets, sodium bicarbonate replaces salt or sodium sulfate as a cleaner, more neutral sodium supplement. It’s particularly useful when chloride levels must be controlled.
It also improves pelleting stability and shelf life. Vietnamese compound feed manufacturers often look for non-caking grades with low moisture (<0.2%).
📦 Packaging demand: 25kg woven bags or 500kg–1000kg jumbo bags, depending on order size.
🐟 3. Usage in Aquaculture (Shrimp & Fish Farming)
Sodium bicarbonate plays an essential role in shrimp and freshwater aquaculture, particularly in Vietnam’s southern farming regions.
✅ a) pH Buffering in Ponds
In intensive shrimp farming, sodium bicarbonate is used to stabilize water pH and reduce ammonia toxicity. It helps prevent stress and mortality, especially during pH drops in rainy seasons.
Shrimp farming pond treated with baking soda
✅ b) Emergency Treatment
Farmers often use baking soda for quick pH adjustments or as a part of water-cleansing protocols. As such, field-ready packaging and clear instructions are important.
🌊 Many aquaculture buyers request bulk bags (jumbo) with clear “For Aquaculture Use” labeling.
🛃 Vietnamese customs are known to check COA and origin documents closely. Exporters must provide a full set including: Packing List, Invoice, CO, COA, and BL.
bergano chemical 25kg loading picture
🧭 5. Choosing a Reliable Supplier from China
Not all baking soda suppliers are export-ready. Vietnamese buyers often ask:
