In 2019, Vietnam exported rice to 35 out of 55 African countries, with a combined turnover of approximately US$630 million, of which the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, Mozambique, Cameroon, Gabon, Tanzania and Egypt were among the major importers.

In 2019, Vietnam exports rice to 35 out of 55 African countries.

For the markets covered by the Vietnamese trade mission in Algeria, the revenue from Senegal was US$32.6 million, while the value was US$6.3 million for the Algerian market.

This year, the outbreak of locust swarms and the Covid-19 pandemic, together with high population growth and competitive rice prices in the international market, have caused governments and people of African nations to increase their storage of foods and foodstuffs, including rice.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, Africa’s rice demand in 2020 is estimated at 15.7 million tonnes, with Senegal expecting to import 1.25 million tonnes, up 13.6% year-on-year, and Mali aiming to buy 350,000 tonnes, up 16.6%. It is forecast that the region’s rice imports will continue to rise next year.

In the first six months of 2020, Vietnam exported 41,149 tonnes of rice to Senegal, raking in US$14.58 million, a 28.5-fold increase in volume and a 19.5-fold rise in value over the same period last year.

Performing the assigned functions and tasks, the Vietnamese trade mission in Algeria has been monitoring changes in trade policies and updating the demand for rice imports and relevant regulations in the countries that it is in charge, especially regarding the aspect of payment in the context of Covid-19, in order to promptly provide information on the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT)’s website, as well as to introduce Vietnamese companies to the business opportunities and the list of rice importers in the African nations.

So far this year, the Asia-Africa Market Department under the MOIT has coordinated with Vietnam’s regional trade missions to organise virtual seminars to advertise the potential of the African-Middle East market, attracting the participation of hundreds of Vietnamese enterprises.

Since mid-July, African countries, including Mali, Niger and Senegal, have reopened their land and air borders after bringing the pandemic under control. These are the positive signals that help these nations to restore trade and investment exchanges with foreign partners, including Vietnam.

Bac Lieu expands cultivation of world’s best rice varieties

The Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu has decided to expand the cultivation of ST 24 and ST 25, two local rice varieties that rank among the world’s best, this year.

“Rice and flower villages” programme flourishes

(BGO) - 5 years ago, Bac Giang Ornamental Creatures Association was assigned by Vietnam Ornamental Creatures Association to pilot the programme “Rice villages, flower villages”. Thanks to attention and joint efforts of the local party committee, government and people, the flower growing movement has been rapidly spread over the province from the piloted growing model in Dinh Tri commune, Bac Giang city generating high incomes for local people. 

Hiep Hoa builds high - quality rice cultivation area

(BGO) - According to Division of Agriculture and Rural Development of Hiep Hoa district (Bac Giang province), after 5 years implementing the Resolution No 130-NQ/TU of the provincial Standing Party Committee dated 16 August 2016 on accelerating application of high technologies in farm production in 2016-2020 period, Hiep Hoa district has fulfilled land consolidation and established 33 large fields with total 2,500 hectares of high-quality rice growing area, hitting 100 percent of the set target.

Bac Giang adjusts Rice Support Project to ethnic minority groups

(BGO) – The People’s Committee in Bac Giang province has decided to issue the Decision No.1299/QD-UBND to approve for adjusting the Rice Support Project to the ethnic minority groups, the poor King households living at the difficult areas to voluntarily plant the forest instead of rice farming on the mountain in Bac Giang province from 2019 – 2023.

Vietnam’s rice export revenue up 18.9% in first five months

Vietnam exported a total of 2.9 million tonnes of rice in the first five months of 2020, bringing in US$1.41 billion, an increase of 5.1% in volume and 18.9% in value.

Source: NDO