In the Mekong Delta region, rice and paddy prices fluctuated slightly. The market saw limited volume, with some varieties of raw rice and paddy experiencing mixed price changes compared to the weekend.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of An Giang Province:
• OM 18 (fresh paddy): Up by VND100/kg, from VND6,800 to 7,100/kg
• Dai Thom 8 (fresh paddy): Up by VND100/kg, from VND6,900 to 7,100/kg
• IR 50404 (fresh paddy): Down by VND100/kg, from VND5,800 to 5,900/kg
• OM 380 (fresh paddy): from VND5,900 to 6,000/kg
• OM 5451 (fresh paddy): from VND6,300 to 6,400/kg
• Nang Hoa 9: VND6,650 to 6,750/kg
In many localities today, the supply of fresh paddy is dwindling, and transactions are slow:
• Soc Trang: Slow trading, slight fluctuation in fragrant rice prices
• An Giang & Can Tho: Limited supply, slow trading, stable prices
• Long An: Buyer interest is weak, low purchasing power, stagnant prices
• Tra Vinh: Harvest mostly completed, prices stable
• Bac Lieu: Low supply, most fragrant rice fields already under contract, limited trading activity
Retail rice prices remained flat compared to the weekend:
• Nang Nhen rice: Highest listed at VND28,000/kg
• Regular rice: VND15,500 – 16,000/kg
• Long-grain Thai fragrant rice: VND20,000 – 22,000/kg
• Huong Lai rice: VND22,000/kg
• Jasmine fragrant rice: VND17,000 – 18,000/kg
• Nang Hoa rice: VND21,000/kg
• Taiwan fragrant rice: VND20,000/kg
• Standard white rice: VND17,000/kg
• Regular Soc rice: VND18,000/kg
• Soc Thai rice: VND20,000/kg
• Japanese rice: VND22,000/kg
Export market:
Vietnam’s rice export prices were unchanged compared to the weekend. According to the Vietnam Food Association (VFA):
• 5% broken rice: USD394/ton
• 25% broken rice: USD367/ton
• 100% broken rice: USD317/ton
Vietnam Focuses on High-Quality Rice Exports Amid Market Challenges
In Q1 2025, Vietnam exported 2.2 million tonnes of rice, earning USD1.14 billion—up 0.6% in volume but down 19.7% in value year-on-year. The average export price dropped to USD522.1/tonne, a 20.1% decline. The Philippines remained the top importer (42.1%), followed by Ivory Coast (16.3%) and Ghana (10.2%).
Global rice prices have declined sharply, with the FAO’s rice price index at its lowest since April 2022. Indica rice saw the steepest drop. Reduced imports by major buyers like the Philippines and Indonesia contributed to the global price slump. Vietnam’s rice prices have also fallen since India lifted its white rice export ban in late 2024.
Despite this, some Vietnamese exporters are thriving by targeting high-end markets. Chon Chinh Import-Export Co., for example, increased Q1 revenue by 15% by focusing on premium rice exports, especially ST25 rice to Europe, priced at USD1,250/tonne. The same variety fetches only USD700–800/tonne in China.
Vietnam is also emphasizing sustainable and low-emission rice farming. The Vietnam Rice Industry Association (Vietrisa) is promoting a national certification for "Green Vietnamese Rice with Low Emissions" and is participating in a long-term development project covering one million hectares of sustainable rice in the Mekong Delta by 2030.
To strengthen competitiveness, experts recommend focusing on high-quality rice production, expanding to premium markets like Japan, the EU, and the US, and reducing reliance on traditional markets that favor low-cost rice.
T.Huong
Source: Vitic