AsemconnectVietnam - Vietnam’s rice exports topped 3.66 billion USD in the first nine months of 2023, an increase of 40.4% year-on-year. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development estimates that exports for 2023 will reach 7.5 million tons.

Price of Vietnam’s exported rice maintains uptrend
Rice prices in the Mekong Delta region continued to rise last week. Specifically, the export price of 5% broken rice increased to 625-630 USD per tonne from 615-625 USD per tonne in the previous week.
Meanwhile, those of other major rice exporters last week recorded decreases. The price of 5% broken rice of India fell to 510-520 USD per tonne from 515-525 USD per tonne, and of Thailand decreased to 575-580 USD per tonne from 580-600 USD per tonne.
According to the Vietnam Food Association, the price of paddy at the field averaged at 8,321 VND (0.34 USD) a kilogram, up 193 VND a kilogram, while that at the warehouse rose by 125 VND to 9,475 VND per kilogram.
170 eligible rice exporters announced
The Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Department of Export and Import recently announced a list of 170 eligible rice exporters as of October 18.
Accordingly, Ho Chi Minh City has the highest number of qualified rice exporters, with 37 ones, followed by 36 in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, 22 in the southern province of Long An and 16 others in southern An Giang province.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that the whole country exported 6.6 million tonnes of rice in the first nine months of this year, bringing home 3.66 billion USD, up 40.4% annually. In the 34-year history of rice export, it was the first time such a record-breaking figure had been achieved.
In particular, Vietnam previously achieved a record export value of 3.65 billion USD in 2011, but with a total volume of 7.1 million tonnes. However, from 2012-2018, rice export prices declined, keeping the turnover below 2.5 billion USD.
Vietnam to be major source of rice supply to Indonesia
Indonesia’s selection of Vietnam as a major source for its rice purchases has further solidified the position and quality of Vietnamese rice, said the Vietnamese Trade Office in Indonesia following a statement from an Indonesian official that Indonesia will import 1.5 million tonnes of rice from Vietnam and Thailand.
The office said the Vietnamese rice is known for its reliability and has earned the trust of the Indonesian Government and consumers in the context that the country is facing a shortfall in domestic food production due to the impact of the El Nino phenomenon.
To make the most of this opportunity, the Vietnamese rice exporters should keep track of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s instructions regarding rice export to Indonesia. Specifically, rice exporters should proactively monitor market conditions, thoroughly assess opportunities and risks, and build trading plans.
The Indonesia Logistics Bureau Preum Bulog said all the necessary licenses for the import of 1.5 million tonnes of rice have been issued by the relevant Indonesian authorities, and the import is set to commence as early as the end of October 2023.
Saltwater intrusion forecast to come early in Mekong Delta
Localities within the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta are devising strategies to tackle the anticipated early onset of saltwater intrusion, projected to occur soon.
These strategies aim to secure adequate water for the winter-spring rice harvest and reduce the damage inflicted by drought and salinity.
The rainy season this year is predicted to have remained in the Mekong Delta only during the previous and the current month, concluding midway through next month.
Consequently, throughout the dry spell of this year and the next, the intrusion of saltwater is expected to appear a month sooner than the multi-year average, commencing in mid to late December.
Director of the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research (SIWRR) Tran Ba Hoang said that the total rainfall this year was forecast to be about 1,350mm, only one% higher than 2015 (the year of severe drought), and about 13% lower than the average of many years.
Young rice festival of Thai ethnics in Lai Chau province
As the end of autumn approaches with golden terraced rice fields wrapped around hills and mountains in Muong So commune in Phong Tho district, Lai Chau province, local Thai ethnic people are thrilled to host a festival to express their gratitude to the gods and deities who blessed them with a bumper crop and abundant life.
The “Kin lau khau mau” or “Young rice” festival is comprised of two parts: one dedicated to spiritual practices and another that includes exciting folk games.
The former features a rice procession ceremony, an offering to the “soul of rice”, young rice pounding, and an offering to the gods and deities to thank them and pray to them for their blessings.
The festival invites Thai ethnic people and visitors to take part in exciting folk games and cultural practices, such as Cheraw dancing and “con” ball throwing, among others.
T.Huong
Source: VNA