Vietnam exported over 3.43 million tonnes of rice in the first four months of this year, raking in nearly 1.77 billion USD, a 8.1% jump in volume but a 13.3% dip in value from the same period last year.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Export-Import Department introduced a raft of measures to improve rice export management for 2025 during a conference held in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang on May 20.

Grounded in the Government and MoIT’s directions, these measures aim to bolster rice exports through rigorous inspection and supervision, accelerated implementation of the national rice export strategy through 2030, and robust trade promotion activities.

Authorities are set to expand negotiations and trade deals with international partners while dismantling the logistical and regulatory snarls that have plagued the sector. Local authorities were advised to restructure production and develop value chain linkages among organisations, cooperatives, and rice exporters. Enterprises and traders were encouraged to upgrade deep processing facilities and equipment to churn out rice up to the exacting standards of discerning markets. The goal is to diversify export markets, reducing dependence on traditional buyers to mitigate associated risks.

Luu Van Phi, Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, highlighted Tien Giang’s strategic strengths in rice production, citing its strategic location and robust transport infrastructure, including extensive road and waterway networks. The province boasts around 200 major rice milling and processing facilities capable of grinding out 3 million tonnes of rice annually and generating an estimated 100 million USD in export revenue.

To ensure the sector’s long-term growth, Phi stressed the need for exporters and traders to develop raw material zones, invest in factory upgrades, modernise production lines, enhance processing capabilities, and strengthen financial capacity. Building brand identity and gaining consumer trust in both domestic and foreign markets is seen as a critical step forward. Current rice export regulations, he added, need to be revised to better keep pace with the industry’s evolving needs.

According to the department, Vietnam exported over 3.43 million tonnes of rice in the first four months of this year, raking in nearly 1.77 billion USD, a 8.1% jump in volume but a 13.3% dip in value from the same period last year. The Philippines, as ever, remains Vietnam’s largest rice buyer, making up 43.3% of the export volume and 45.5% of the value. VNA

Published Date: May 21, 2025