- VietnamNews
HO CHI MINH CITY: Vietnam’s rice industry is facing a steep drop in export prices, even as shipment volumes climb, underscoring the challenges of a volatile global grain market.
According to the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry, the country exported an estimated 4.5 million tonnes of rice in the first five months of 2025, equivalent to 4.5 billion kg, generating US$2.34bil.
While the quantity rose by 12.2% year-on-year, export value declined by 8.9%.
This sharp contrast resulted from a significant decrease in the average export price, which dropped to around US$0.516 per kg, down 18.7% compared with the same period last year.
Domestically, paddy prices across the Mekong Delta remained relatively stable throughout the past week.
In provinces like Vinh Long and Tien Giang, IR 50404 paddy continued to be traded at 6,600 dong per kg.
OM18 was priced at 7,500 dong per kg in Can Tho, 8,100 dong per kg in Soc Trang and 7,000 dong per kg in Tien Giang.
Jasmine rice reached 8,400 dong per kg in Can Tho and 7,100 dong per kg in Tien Giang.
ST 25 remained one of the most valuable varieties, holding at 9,500 dong per kg.
In An Giang Province, fresh IR 50404 paddy was being purchased by traders at 5,400 dong to 5,600 dong per kg, OM 380 at 5,200 dong to 5,400 dong per kg and OM 5451 at 6,200 dong to 6,400 dong per kg, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment.
Retail rice prices in An Giang also displayed diversity, depending on type and quality.
Ordinary rice varieties ranged between 14,000 dong to 15,000 dong per kg, while aromatic long-grain rice imported from Thailand reached 20,000 dong to 22,000 dong per kg.
Jasmine rice was sold at 16,000 dong to 18,000 dong per kg, Nang Hoa at 21,000 dong per kg and Japanese rice, along with Huong Lai, was at 22,000 dong per kg.
Varieties like Soc Thai and Taiwanese fragrant rice also stood at around 20,000 dong per kg.
In processing facilities, the price of raw IR 504 rice was between 7,900 dong and 8,000 dong per kg with the finished product reaching 9,500 dong to 9,700 dong per kg.
OM 380 raw rice was sold at 7,850 dong to 8,000 dong per kg while processed OM 380 rice fetched 8,800 dong to 9,000 dong per kg.
By the end of May, Vietnamese farmers had planted roughly 4.22 million ha of rice.
However, the harvested area shrank to 2.57 million ha, producing an estimated 17.5 million tonnes of rice, down 2% year-on-year.
The yield per ha saw a slight improvement to about 6.8 tonnes.
The Philippines remained Vietnam’s largest rice importer, accounting for 41.4% of the country’s total exports.
Cote d’Ivoire followed with 11.9% and China with 10.3%.
Despite the volume, the Philippines’ import value dropped 21.8% in the first four months.
In contrast, exports to Cote d’Ivoire surged by 2.7 times, and shipments to China increased by 83.7%.
Bangladesh posted the most dramatic rise – a 515.6-fold increase in value – while Indonesia recorded a sharp 97.9% decline.
The Vietnam Food Association reported that Vietnam’s 5% broken rice is currently quoted at US$0.393 per kg, down US$0.003 from last week.
A trader in Ho Chi Minh City noted the Philippines is seeking to diversify its supply, posing a potential risk to Vietnam’s traditional export structure.
However, Vietnam is increasingly targeting high-quality markets like Japan and Europe, where premium rice can command better prices per kg. — Viet Nam News/ANN
