Nang Nhen rice was traded at the highest level of VND28,000 per kg. Huong Lai rice was priced at VND22,000 per kg. Thai long-grain fragrant rice ranged between VND20,000 and 22,000 per kg. Nang Hoa rice stood at VND21,000 per kg, Taiwanese fragrant rice at VND20,000 per kg, and Jasmine fragrant rice at VND14,000–15,000 per kg. Common white rice was quoted at VND16,000 per kg, ordinary Soc rice at VND16,000–17,000 per kg, ordinary rice at VND12,000–13,000 per kg, Soc Thai rice at VND20,000 per kg, and Japanese rice at VND22,000 per kg.

For paddy, according to the An Giang Department of Agriculture and Environment, fresh OM 18 paddy was offered at VND6,300–6,500 per kg. Fresh Dai Thom 8 paddy was also quoted at VND6,300–6,500 per kg. Fresh OM 5451 paddy ranged from VND5,600 to 5,800 per kg, fresh IR 50404 paddy at VND5,500–5,600 per kg, fresh OM 34 paddy at VND5,400–5,500 per kg, and OM 4218 paddy at VND6,000–6,200 per kg.

In many localities, rice trading remained slow, while prices of fresh paddy were relatively stable. In An Giang, Winter–Spring paddy was offered sporadically, transactions were sluggish, and fragrant paddy prices edged up slightly. In Ca Mau, fragrant paddy prices held firm, ST paddy eased slightly, and trading was slow. In Can Tho, Dong Thap, Ca Mau, Vinh Long and Tay Ninh, Winter–Spring paddy transactions were sluggish, with prices remaining broadly stable.

On the export market, according to the Vietnam Food Association (VFA), 5% broken fragrant rice was traded at USD420–440 per tonne, 100% broken rice at USD319–323 per tonne, and Jasmine rice at USD446–450 per tonne.

Vietnam plans to export around 7 million tonnes of rice in 2026, down from 8 million tonnes in 2025, and will gradually reduce export volumes to about 4 million tonnes by 2030, according to Do Ha Nam, Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA).

Explaining the outlook, Nam said that 2026 will pose numerous difficulties and challenges, as a global supply glut is weighing heavily on the market and affecting all rice exporters, including Vietnam.

He stressed that the planned reduction is not only a response to current market conditions but also part of a long-term strategic shift for the rice sector under Decision 583 issued by the Prime Minister in May 2023. Under this strategy, Vietnam will focus on improving quality and increasing value, targeting higher-end market segments rather than volume-driven growth.

However, Nam noted that the industry will continue to face challenges in 2026. In January alone, Vietnam exported around 250,000 tonnes of rice to the Philippines, yet prices showed little movement due to high carryover inventories from 2025. In addition, the Philippines’ import quota system has created obstacles for Vietnamese exports, particularly during peak harvest periods.

To address rice price pressures on farmers during the upcoming winter–spring harvest, Nam suggested that the government and relevant ministries create favourable conditions for enterprises to temporarily store rice during the harvest season. He also emphasized the importance of promoting government-to-government contracts with markets such as Ghana and Singapore to help stabilize demand and prices.

 T.Huong

Source: Vitic