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(Hanoi, 23rd) In the first half of 2025, Vietnam’s rice export volume has surpassed Thailand, rising to second place globally, only behind India. This achievement stems from years of persistent efforts to improve quality, diversify varieties, and expand markets. However, to maintain its edge and achieve sustainable development, Vietnam’s rice industry still needs to formulate long-term strategies, enhance added value, and build a national brand.
Data shows that in the first seven months of this year, Vietnam exported 5.5 million tons of rice, earning US$2.81 billion in foreign exchange. While export volume increased by 3.1% year-on-year, export value dropped by 15.9%. The average export price per ton was only US$514, down by 18.4%, mainly due to high inventories in the Philippines and Indonesia, and intense competition with India and Thailand.
The Philippines, Vietnam’s largest consumer market, accounts for 42.6% of its total rice export revenue. However, starting September 1, the Philippines suspended imports for 60 days to protect domestic production, which is expected to cause an oversupply and impact year-end sales plans.
Meanwhile, domestic rice production in Vietnam also faces challenges from climate change. Saltwater intrusion, drought, and frequent extreme weather threaten both yields and quality. High-end markets such as the EU, Japan, and South Korea have strict standards, requiring Vietnam to improve raw material bases, optimize production processes, and promote deep processing.
Despite the temporary halt in imports by the Philippines, Vietnam’s annual exports are still expected to exceed 8.2 million tons, thanks to accelerated exports to Bangladesh, China, and African markets. Du Ha Nam, chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, stated that Vietnam rice still has a competitive advantage relying on high-quality varieties such as OM, DT8, and ST. However, there is an urgent need to reduce logistics costs, expand into the Japanese, Korean, and African markets, and accelerate the development of high value-added products, aiming to maintain annual exports above 8 million tons.
Bui Ba Bong, chairman of the Vietnam Rice Industry Association, pointed out that the core of sustainable development lies on the production side. The Mekong Delta is advancing a million-hectare low-emission high-quality rice project, aiming to build the "Low-Carbon Green Vietnam Rice" brand, with some products already entering the Japanese market.
The Ministry of Agriculture recommends that in addition to stabilizing traditional Southeast Asian markets, efforts should focus on entering premium markets in Europe, Japan, and South Korea, promoting processed products such as rice noodles, pho, and vermicelli, while also actively venturing into African and Middle Eastern markets. Meanwhile, reducing logistics costs remains key to strengthening competitiveness.
Experts emphasize that against the backdrop of increasing volatility in the global market, Vietnam can no longer simply pursue output, but should pivot to a "value strategy," winning through quality, building a green and environmentally friendly industrial chain, and establishing a strong national brand image.
The Philippines, Vietnam’s largest consumer market, accounts for 42.6% of its total rice export revenue. However, starting September 1, the Philippines suspended imports for 60 days to protect domestic production, which is expected to cause an oversupply and impact year-end sales plans.
Meanwhile, domestic rice production in Vietnam also faces challenges from climate change. Saltwater intrusion, drought, and frequent extreme weather threaten both yields and quality. High-end markets such as the EU, Japan, and South Korea have strict standards, requiring Vietnam to improve raw material bases, optimize production processes, and promote deep processing.
Despite the temporary halt in imports by the Philippines, Vietnam’s annual exports are still expected to exceed 8.2 million tons, thanks to accelerated exports to Bangladesh, China, and African markets. Du Ha Nam, chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, stated that Vietnam rice still has a competitive advantage relying on high-quality varieties such as OM, DT8, and ST. However, there is an urgent need to reduce logistics costs, expand into the Japanese, Korean, and African markets, and accelerate the development of high value-added products, aiming to maintain annual exports above 8 million tons.
Bui Ba Bong, chairman of the Vietnam Rice Industry Association, pointed out that the core of sustainable development lies on the production side. The Mekong Delta is advancing a million-hectare low-emission high-quality rice project, aiming to build the "Low-Carbon Green Vietnam Rice" brand, with some products already entering the Japanese market.
The Ministry of Agriculture recommends that in addition to stabilizing traditional Southeast Asian markets, efforts should focus on entering premium markets in Europe, Japan, and South Korea, promoting processed products such as rice noodles, pho, and vermicelli, while also actively venturing into African and Middle Eastern markets. Meanwhile, reducing logistics costs remains key to strengthening competitiveness.
Experts emphasize that against the backdrop of increasing volatility in the global market, Vietnam can no longer simply pursue output, but should pivot to a "value strategy," winning through quality, building a green and environmentally friendly industrial chain, and establishing a strong national brand image.