Rice prices have been going up throughout this year, from a $450 per ton average in the first quarter to $590 per ton earlier this month, said Tran Duy Dong, head of the trade department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

A person looks at rice packs in a store in Ho Chi Minh City.

One of the reasons for the rise is that India on July 20 banned the exports of non-Basmati white rice to tame surging domestic prices. India accounts for more than 40% of global rice trade.

Some companies are now selling rice at $620-660, the highest ever, said Nguyen Thi Bich Huyen, a representative of rice exporter Ngoc Hoa in Can Tho City.

But the price jump is putting rice exporters in difficulties, as many of them have signed contracts with buyers at past prices even though Vietnamese farmers are now demanding a much higher rate, she said.

This means that exporters have to bear losses on some contracts, she added.

Vietnam exported $2.58 billion worth of rice in the first seven months, up nearly 30% year-on-year.

Asia bought over 77% of all exports volume. Some markets saw a jump in demand, such as the EU, where imports rose 28% year-on-year.

Vietnam is set to produce 20 million tons of rice this year, enough for both domestic consumption and exports, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Nguyen Ngoc Nam, chairman of Vietnam Food Association, said that Vietnam had now surpassed Thailand to be the second-biggest rice exporter globally behind India.

The country still has 2.2 million tons of rice left in its exports plan for this year, which is within its capacity, he added.

"Our rice quality meets the requirements of most markets in the world, and demands for rice globally will be high in the remaining months," he said, adding that this was a golden opportunity for exporters to find new buyers and markets.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said that Vietnam needed to protect its rice brand in global trade while ensuring domestic food security.

Market diversification crucial for rice sector: Experts

Although Vietnamese rice has been exported to 150 countries and territories, markets for the product are mainly Asian countries and thus need to be diversified, according to experts.

Agriculture ministers urges seizing opportunity to boost rice export

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan told a conference on July 6 that Vietnam should take advantage of the current opportunity to boost its rice exports.

Positive outlook for Vietnam’s rice exports

Vietnam’s rice exports witnessed decent growth in the first five months of 2023 in both established and new markets. It is forecast that rice export will continue growing in the coming months thanks to strong demand while global inventories have fallen to record lows.

Rice exports surge 54.5% in first four months

Vietnam earned 1.56 billion USD from shipping 2.95 million tonnes of rice abroad in the first four months of this year, increases of 54.5% and 43.6%, respectively, year-on-year.

Stable price of star apple fruit benefits farmers in Hop Duc commune

(BGO) – Recently, farmers in Hop Duc commune, Tan Yen district (Bac Giang province) has harvested star apple fruits. With stable selling price of 30,000 VND (1.28 USD) per kg, the growers can earn over 300 million VND per hectare.

Source: VnExpress