Rice exports reach unprecedented numbers
At the beginning of 2023, Vietnam targeted exporting about 7 million tons of rice (equivalent to 7.1 million tons in 2022), but by the end of November, the country exported 7.8 million tons. The year-end result is believed to hit a historic milestone of 8 million tons, worth at least 4.6 billion USD.
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| Vietnam can now ensure the shipment of 7.5 - 8 million tons of rice |
Forecasting the price trend of Vietnam’s rice exports in the coming time, many businesses affirm that Vietnamese rice has established a new price range and will maintain a high level in the short term.
Export businesses say that, thanks to a steady export output of about 7 million tons annually and stable export policies, the position of Vietnamese rice producers is having a positive change in the world rice market.
Mr. Huynh Van Thon, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Loc Troi Group Joint Stock Company, said: "We have sold rice at a higher price than other countries. It is time to transfer the bargaining power which belongs with producers and sellers This is a very big step, an extremely important change because if there is a slight change in reorganizing production, producing according to the plan, the situation of good harvests but dropping value will stop.”
According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien, Vietnam has a number of high-yield and high-quality rice varieties (accounting for 85 - 90%), which has created a basis for directing production, creating rice output that meets domestic consumption demand and export. With an output of over 43 million tons of rice, after domestic consumption, processing, and storage, Vietnam can now ensure the shipment of 7.5 - 8 million tons of rice.
Most delicious rice variety in world
On December 5, the Organizing Committee of the World’s Best Rice contest issued the second press release confirming that ST25 Rice developed by Ho Quang Tri Enterprise is the winner of the contest.
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| ST25 Rice developed by Ho Quang Tri Enterprise won the World’s Best Rice contest. |
Accordingly, ST25 is the only Vietnamese rice in the final top 3 along with rice from India and Cambodia. ST25 is a rice variety developed by a research team led by Mr. Ho Quang Cua.
In 2019, ST25 rice by Ho Quang Cua and his colleagues won the first prize, creating a buzz, bringing the Vietnamese rice brand to new heights.
Mr. Jeremy Zwinger, CEO of The Rice Trader, said there are many factors that have brought Vietnam's rice industry to its position, including the supply system, equipment, inspection process and quality control which are all admirable.
This year, three Vietnamese enterprises sent their rice samples to the competition. One of them, Ho Quang Tri Private Enterprise, sent ST24 and ST25, while Loc Troi Group competed with LT28, and Nang Hoa 9 and Thai Binh Seeds competed with TBR39-1 and A Sao sticky rice.
The final result, Vietnamese rice has become the best rice in the world. This result once again affirms the quality and reputation of Vietnamese rice in the international market, affirming that the process of restructuring Vietnam’s rice industry is on the right track and has reaped important achievements.
Developing 1 million ha of low-emission high-quality rice
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang on December 12 held a ceremony to launch a project on developing 1 million ha of high-quality, low-emission rice linked with green growth in the Mekong Delta region by 2030.
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| The project of 1 million ha of low-emission high-quality rice is implemented in 12 provinces or cities in the Mekong Delta (except Ben Tre) |
The project aims to increase values, sustainably develop the country’s rice industry, increase incomes for rice farmers, protect the environment, and contribute to realizing Vietnam’s environment commitment.
Under the project, greenhouse gas emissions from rice farming is expected to be reduced by more than 10% and low-emission, high-quality rice will account for over 20% of the total for export in the entire specialised rice farming region.
The project is implemented in 12 provinces or cities in the Mekong Delta (except Ben Tre). In particular, in the 2024-2025 period, the project will focus on consolidating the existing areas of 180,000 ha of the Vietnam Sustainable Agricultural Transformation Project (VnSAT). During the 2026-2030 period, VnSAT will expand an additional 820,000 ha.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said that implementation will include experimental trials of new policies, including paying carbon credits based on performance, focusing on low-emissions production tied to green growth, and developing an agricultural economy with a circular approach.
If this is successfully piloted in the Mekong Delta, the project will be expanded around the country, he said.
Ms. Carolyn Turk, Country Director of the World Bank (WB) in Vietnam, said the WB is committed to accompanying and supporting the Vietnamese Government in implementing this project, as well as helping Vietnam take part in the voluntary carbon market to secure sustainable financial sources for economic development./.