According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in the first seven months of 2025, Vietnam exported 5.5 million tonnes of rice worth 2.81 billion USD. Compared to the same period last year, volume rose 3.1% while value fell 15.9% due to an average export price of 514 USD per tonne, down 18.4% year-on-year.

However, in early August, Vietnamese rice prices rebounded sharply against the global trend, while other exporters’ prices continued to drop. Data from the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) shows that on August 7, Vietnam’s 5% broken rice rose to 395 USD per tonne, up 17 USD from the July 23 low of 378 USD, despite India’s plan to release 20 million tonnes of ultra-cheap rice.

Vietnam’s export price is now significantly higher than that of Thailand (362 USD/tonne), Pakistan (365 USD/tonne), and India (379 USD/tonne).

VFA Chairman Do Ha Nam explained that Vietnamese rice remains in short supply because it has established its own markets for DT, OM, and especially ST varieties. Notably, in June, Vietnam launched its first shipment of “Green, Low-Emission Rice” for export  -  a product no other country currently produces. This inaugural batch was shipped to Japan.

Pham Thai Binh, Chairman of Trung An High-Tech Agriculture JSC, said the rice was sold at 820 USD per tonne at the company’s warehouse in Can Tho, equivalent to over 1,000 USD per tonne CIF. The price matches Thailand’s premium Hom Mali variety and doubles the rate of fragrant rice currently exported by Vietnamese firms.

Following Japan, a shipment of nearly 3,000 tonnes of low-emission certified rice is scheduled for export to Australia in October.

Do Ha Nam noted that Vietnam has built a strong brand, earning high demand across markets, with premium segments maintaining elevated prices despite the overall average declining. With current momentum, VFA forecasts that Vietnam will export around 8.8 million tonnes of rice in 2025, securing its position as the world’s second-largest exporter  -  a feat admired by Thailand, whose exports have fallen by 30%.

Domestic enterprises continue to expand exports to Africa, a promising but high-risk market due to slow payments. For sustainable growth, Nam emphasized developing high-quality rice varieties and specialized farming areas, highlighting ST25 as a globally praised product that promotes Vietnam’s culinary reputation.

Bui Ba Bong, Chairman of the Vietnam Rice Industry Association (VIETRISA), said Vietnam benefits from a leading rice production base in Southeast Asia, approaching world-class standards. The “super raw material zone” project  -  1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta  -  is progressing effectively. To meet export standards, raw material zones must ensure high quality and low production costs for mutual benefit.

Bong stressed that building these zones cannot be left to enterprises alone. Farmers, cooperatives, and local authorities must work together to form sustainable raw material areas that meet global consumption trends.

Tam An