AsemconnectVietnam - Vietnam’s rice market in the Mekong Delta saw slight increases in several categories on Tuesday, with OM 5451 raw rice and by-products edging higher compared with the previous session. Meanwhile, escalating tensions in the Middle East are disrupting maritime shipping, delaying Indian basmati rice exports and potentially affecting the global rice supply chain.

Domestic rice market
Trading activity in local markets remained slow, with rice prices largely stable across most locations.
In Lap Vo and Sa Dec in Dong Thap province, supply was limited and prices for most rice varieties were steady. At An Cu in Dong Thap, buying activity was weak and prices showed little movement.
Across the Mekong Delta, OM 5451 raw rice rose by 200 dong/kg to 8,450–8,600 dong/kg.
Other varieties remained stable, including:
• OM 380: 7,500–7,600 dong/kg
• IR 504: 8,000–8,100 dong/kg
• OM 18: 8,900–9,100 dong/kg
• CL 555: 7,900–8,100 dong/kg
• Dai Thom 8: 9,150–9,450 dong/kg
• IR 50404: 8,500–8,600 dong/kg
• Soc Thom: 7,500–7,600 dong/kg
At traditional retail markets, rice prices were unchanged from the previous day. Huong Lai rice was priced at 22,000 dong/kg, while Nang Nhen rice remained the highest at around 28,000 dong/kg. Ordinary rice ranged from 13,000–14,000 dong/kg, while Thai fragrant rice was quoted at 20,000–22,000 dong/kg.
The glutinous rice segment remained stable. Dry glutinous rice was priced at 9,500–9,700 dong/kg, while fresh IR 4625 glutinous rice traded at 7,300–7,500 dong/kg.
By-products market
Rice by-products increased slightly compared with the previous session.
Prices for fragrant broken rice rose by 50 dong/kg to 7,650–7,800 dong/kg, while rice bran was quoted at 7,900–8,100 dong/kg.
Paddy market
In several Mekong Delta provinces, limited supply and slow demand kept paddy prices largely unchanged.
In An Giang province, dry Nang Nhen paddy was quoted at 20,000 dong/kg. Other varieties included:
• OM 34 (fresh): 5,200–5,400 dong/kg
• IR 50404: 5,400–5,500 dong/kg
• OM 4218: 6,200–6,400 dong/kg
• Nang Hoa: 6,000–6,200 dong/kg
• OM 5451: 5,800–6,000 dong/kg
• OM 18 and Dai Thom 8: 6,500–6,700 dong/kg
Export market
According to the Vietnam Food Association (VFA), Vietnam’s Jasmine rice export prices were quoted at $430–434 per ton, while 5% broken fragrant rice stood at $400–415 per ton. Vietnamese 5% broken white rice was priced at $357–361 per ton.
In Thailand, 5% broken white rice was quoted at $381–385 per ton, the highest level in the region. India’s 5% broken white rice was priced at $351–355 per ton, while 5% broken parboiled rice stood at $350–354 per ton. In Pakistan, 5% broken white rice traded at $362–366 per ton.
Middle East tensions disrupt basmati exports
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are creating new disruptions in the global rice supply chain. Indian exporters, the world’s leading suppliers of basmati rice, are facing significant difficulties shipping cargo.
Following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, security risks along key maritime routes have increased. Many shipping companies have reduced operations or adjusted schedules, leading to cargo congestion at Indian ports.
According to the All India Rice Exporters Association, around 200,000–250,000 tons of basmati rice are currently stuck at ports due to a shortage of vessels. This figure excludes cargo already in transit or stored in port warehouses.
The congestion has increased storage costs and financing pressure for exporters as inventory turnover slows.
In response, exporters have asked the Indian government for support measures such as waiving port storage fees and easing financial burdens during the shipping disruptions.
The request is particularly urgent because the Middle East is the largest market for Indian basmati rice, worth billions of dollars annually. In the nine months to December 2025, India exported about 4.7 million tons of basmati rice, valued at nearly $4 billion.
Shipping costs have also risen sharply. Some shipping lines have imposed surcharges of around $2,000 per container, while maritime insurance premiums are also expected to increase due to heightened regional risks.
Analysts warn that the impact of shipping disruptions may extend beyond basmati rice to other agricultural commodities. If geopolitical tensions persist, global markets could see stockpiling activity aimed at preventing supply shortages, which may lead to increased volatility in global food prices.