AsemconnectVietnam - The prices of Vietnamese rice increased strongly in many foreign markets in the first half of this year, according to statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

The average rice export price went up by over 18% over the same period last year. The grain was sold at 959 USD per tonne in Brunei, 868 USD in the US, 857 USD in the Netherlands, 847 USD in Ukraine, 836 USD in Iraq, and 831 USD in Turkey.
During the period, Vietnam shipped 46,000 tonnes to the European Union (EU), earning 41.4 million USD, an increase of nearly 118% year-on-year.
In the first three months of this year, Vietnam also exported up to 135,300 tonnes of rice to the American market, with a turnover of 94.5 million USD, up 299% year-on-year.
In the first half, Vietnam's rice exports reached 4.7 million tonnes, a rise of 10.4% year-over-year, and its export turnover reached nearly 3 billion USD, up 32%./.
Many opportunities to promote rice exports in the second half of this year
Vietnam has many opportunities to promote rice exports in the second half of this year, even though India could change its rice export policy in the next few months, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).
Vietnam's 5% broken rice was offered for sale at 565-570 USD per tonne on July 12, the lowest level in more than half a year.
Vietnam’s rice exports in the first six months of 2024 was still a bright spot, with volume of 4.68 million tonnes and turnover of 2.98 billion USD, up 10.4% in volume and 32% in value over the same period last year.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) expects Vietnam to export about 8 million tonnes of rice this year, earning more than 5 billion USD. In the last months of the year, the main export markets of Vietnamese rice were still the Philippines, Indonesia, China, Ghana, Malaysia, and Singapore. The success of the rice sector is the fruit of a concerted effort spanning research, production and trade, with high-quality seeds delivered to farmers' hands, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat said.
Deputy PM urges implementation of 1 million hectare of high-quality rice project
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on July 17 requested the acceleration of the implementation of a project to develop 1 million hectares of specialised rice cultivation with high quality and low emissions associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta region from now to 2030.
Speaking at a Hanoi meeting on the project implementation progress, Quang emphasised that it creates a new production method suitable for the world's production and consumption trends; and generates a breakthrough in agriculture thinking in the Mekong Delta, which is facing the effects of rapid and unpredictable climate change, thus contributing to improving the income and living conditions of farmers and businesses, and helping Vietnam realise its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Agreeing with the opinions on the need to have the engagement of authorities in the central level, localities, farmers, and businesses in implementing the project, the Deputy PM required the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to keep the coordinating role, proactively handle the work under its authority, and report to the Prime Minister on issues beyond that.
Quality varieties spur Vietnamese rice industry's growth
The success of the rice sector is the fruit of a concerted effort spanning research, production and trade, with high-quality seeds delivered to farmers' hands, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat has assessed.
Phat, who is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), said the market now needs resilient, low-emission, and quality rice varieties that adapt to climate change, adding that related research should help farmers achieve higher selling prices.
For example, regarding the nutritional content of rice, the IRRI is currently researching varieties with low glycemic index suitable for individuals with or at risk of diabetes. Currently, the price of diabetes-friendly rice stands at 1,800 USD per tonne, significantly higher than the export price of normal rice, which ranges between 500 USD and 600 USD per tonne. Additionally, the IRRI is also studying to develop varieties with higher protein content, drought and salt tolerance, flood resilience, and other exploitable traits.
High quality, low-emission rice project's pilot model in Mekong Delta yielded positive results
A pilot model for planting millions of hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta has yielded positive results, including reducing the amount of seed and fertiliser used, lowering carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions while increasing profits.
The findings were announced on July 8 at a review workshop for the initial results of the pilot model, held in Can Tho city.
The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Crop Production, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the People’s Committee of Can Tho city and the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Back on April 5, the Tien Thuan Cooperative in the city was selected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as one of five sites across 12 provinces and cities in the delta to pilot the model.
T.Huong
Source: Vitic