The figures represented decreases of 16.6 percent in volume and 13.1 percent in value compared with the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. 

China remained the biggest importer of Vietnam’s rice with 36 percent of the market share. A total of 1.04 million tonnes worth 476 million USD were shipped to this market between January-July, down 21.6 percent in volume and 11.9 percent in value year-on-year. 

Indonesia followed with 353,000 tonnes and 140.4 million USD, up 25.5-fold in volume and 26.8-fold in value year-on-year. 

Rice export to several traditional markets suffered from drastic decreases, including the Philippines (66.4 percent), Malaysia (54.5 percent), and Singapore (36.3 percent). 

However, it is noted that the Philippines will open bidding for 250,000 tonnes of rice on August 31 as part of its plan to import 1 million more tonnes of rice to ensure food for next year. 

Vietnam will participate in this auction, according to the Vietnam Food Association.

VNA