From May 1 the grain could be exported normally though the Ministry of Finance still needs to buy enough rice for the national reserve, he said on Tuesday.

"Amid the pandemic and unusual weather phenomena, we need to ensure the nation’s food security and protect rice farmers’ benefits. Raising prices for speculating must not be allowed," Phuc said.

Farmers harvest rice in the southern province of Soc Trang on March 10, 2020.

He instructed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to report back if there are signs that exports could affect food security.

The ministry said 6.5-6.7 million tons could be exported this year. Last year the country had shipped 6.37 million tons.

On April 10 the government had capped April exports at 400,000 tons.

Many companies complained that customs began accepting declaration forms at midnight on April 11 without prior notice, and as a result many of them with large quantities of rice stuck at ports were unable to submit their forms before the 400,000-ton threshold was reached.

Phuc has ordered the Government Inspectorate to look into possible violations in this regard.

Vietnam is the world's third largest rice exporter after India and Thailand. Last year its exports were worth $2.81 billion, with the top markets being the Philippines, Ivory Coast, China, and Malaysia.

Vietnam exports over 68,000 tonnes of rice as of April 21

Vietnam has shipped more than 68,000 tonnes of rice abroad as of April 21 evening, part of 400,000 tonnes of rice under quotas for this month, the General Department of Customs reported on its website.

Vice President praises inventor of “rice ATM”

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh on April 17 sent a letter of commendation to praise Hoang Tuan Anh from Ho Chi Minh City for his invention, the “rice ATM”, which is supporting the disadvantaged amidst Covid-19 epidemic

Rice export still allowed despite pandemic, natural disasters

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung on April 20 ordered advancing the export quota of 100,000 tonnes of rice from that set for May in order to ease difficulties for firms that have rice stuck at ports but are unable to submit customs declarations.

Luc Nam enjoys bumper harvest of pineapple with higher selling price

(BGO) – For recent years, the pineapple in Luc Nam district (Bac Giang province) have sharply reduced down to 2 – 3,000 VND per kilogram, causing deep concern to the farmers. This year, they enjoy a bumper season with higher productivity and selling prize. The price at the beginning period fluctuates from 8 – 10,000 VND per kg. 

Ministry issues rice export quotas for April

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh has signed on decision announcing the rice export quota for April after the Prime Minister gave the green light to resume exporting the product.

Source: VnExpress