Proactively expand the market for Vietnamese rice

Some key markets such as Indonesia and the Philippines have temporarily suspended imports in the recent past, creating pressure on the price and consumption of rice in our country.

This reality requires monitoring and grasping information, reviewing the market, strengthening the brand, and proactively expanding the market for Vietnamese rice.

Synchronizing solutions to maintain the market for Vietnamese rice. Photo: CD

8 months of rice export 6.3 million tons

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade , in the first 8 months of 2025, Vietnam exported about 6.3 million tons of rice, up 2% over the same period. With a plan of 8 million tons for the whole year, in 2/3 of the way, rice exports have completed nearly 80% of the target and are likely to exceed the plan. Notably, Vietnamese rice has been present in many traditional markets and expanded to new markets such as the Middle East, Africa, and West Asia.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Son - Director of the Import-Export Department informed that the Philippines continues to be the largest rice importer of Vietnam with nearly 2.9 million tons, accounting for 45.9%, an increase of 4.2% over the same period.

Following is the Ivory Coast market with 753.7 thousand tons, accounting for 11.85%, 1.5 times higher than the same period last year. The Ghana market increased by nearly 94.8% over the same period, with export volume reaching 662.4 thousand tons, accounting for 10.4%.

Next is the Chinese market, after several years of continuous decline, in the first 8 months of the year it grew again, reaching 565.3 thousand tons, accounting for 8.9% of total export volume, up 141.3% over the same period.

In contrast, the significant decline from the Indonesian market decreased by nearly 97.2% to only nearly 25.4 thousand tons in 8 months after the Government of this country announced to stop importing rice in 2025. The Malaysian market also decreased by 45% over the same period.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed that with an export output of tens of millions of tons, rice has brought in tens of billions of USD each year, contributing greatly to import-export turnover and the national budget, while creating jobs and income for millions of farmers.

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Rice export not only has economic significance, but also contributes to affirming the position and image of a developed Vietnam, contributing to poverty reduction and ensuring global food security.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien

It is expected that the summer-autumn crop will basically be harvested by mid-September 2025. According to the crop structure, the autumn-winter crop will be harvested in November and December. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment aims to avoid local congestion during the concentrated rice harvest period.

The crop calendar in each region will be closely followed to balance output, while maintaining the high-quality rice structure, ensuring supply for both domestic and export markets.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, some key markets such as Indonesia and the Philippines have temporarily suspended imports, creating pressure on prices and consumption. However, overall, the output of Vietnamese rice remains stable and import demand in many markets will return at the end of the year.

Keeping the market steady against fluctuations

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam said that the program of 1 million hectares of high-quality rice and emission reduction in the Mekong Delta is continuing to expand. It is expected that by mid-September, the Ministry will summarize 11 high-quality rice models, from which they will be replicated in key production areas.

Regarding the balance of supply and demand for exported rice, Deputy Minister Nam said that Vietnamese rice is now available in 80 countries and territories. Australia highly appreciates the quality of Vietnamese rice, showing the potential for market expansion that does not depend only on a few traditional countries. Many African countries have also expressed interest and desire to import Vietnamese rice in the near future.

On that basis, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment proposed that the Trade Counselor system strengthen connections and market information in the home country, so that domestic enterprises can have appropriate export strategies.

“It is important that production must follow demand, have close links, and reduce costs to increase competitiveness. Then, the Vietnamese rice market will be more stable in the face of fluctuations,” Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam emphasized.

To boost rice exports in the coming time, the Minister of Industry and Trade has pointed out a group of solutions. Accordingly, it is necessary to continue to monitor, grasp information, and assess the situation related to the suspension of rice imports by the Philippines and the temporary suspension by Indonesia to advise the Government on appropriate solutions.

Update the situation, provide guidance and assistance to production areas and export enterprises on changes in policies of the Philippines and Indonesia to have adaptive solutions.

At the same time, actively provide information and market forecasts, especially potential markets (Africa, Middle East, South Asia, West Asia, South America) so that export enterprises have room to choose and approach, avoiding dependence on a few large markets in the long term.

At the same time, urgently consider supporting businesses in completing import-export procedures quickly and conveniently, such as applying digital transformation, reducing time and costs in rice purchasing and exporting activities.

Strengthen negotiations, sign new or upgrade existing agreements on rice trade with countries, especially countries and regions with great potential or countries that have FTAs ​​with us.

Promote trade promotion activities and promote Vietnamese rice product brands according to the Strategy for developing Vietnam's rice export market to 2030.

For traders to strengthen and promote the Vietnamese rice brand; boost sales to Africa, Bangladesh, Senegal, the Middle East and other markets in need; diversify product types, niche markets and markets with high demands.

Faced with the reality of the shrinking rice export market and in order to promptly implement the Prime Minister's Official Dispatch No. 160/CD-TTg on strengthening the implementation of tasks and solutions to promote production, export and stabilize the rice market, on the afternoon of September 10, the Ministry of Industry and Trade held a Conference to promote rice production, export and stabilize the rice market.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/chu-dong-mo-rong-thi-truong-cho-gao-viet-nam-715700.html