The family of rice breeder Ho Quang Cua announced the result from the Philippines on October 9, following the World Rice Conference organised by US-based The Rice Trader in Manila.
The award further highlights the quality and consistency of Vietnamese rice on the international stage.
The results were announced at the Dusit Thani Manila hotel. Myanmar took first place, returning to the top spot for the first time in 15 years, while the Philippines came third. India and Thailand shared fourth place.
The judging panel comprised international chefs and experts who assessed rice samples from several countries.
Each entry was evaluated both uncooked and after preparation, based on consistency, grain length, aroma, texture and taste.
The competition uses rice harvested in the year of the event. Maintaining a leading position over multiple years therefore requires consistent quality across harvests and fields, rather than relying on a single successful season.
The ST aromatic rice varieties, including ST24 and ST25, are the result of more than 30 years of research, selection and crossbreeding by agricultural engineer and Hero of Labour Ho Quang Cua and his team. Their work has also relied on farmers in the Mekong Delta’s rice-shrimp farming areas.
Ong Cua rice is currently protected as a trademark in Vietnam, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia and China, among other markets. It is sold in the US, Australia and Canada through official distributors.
At this year’s conference, Ong Cua rice also had an exhibition stand introducing the story behind ST25 to international rice experts and importers.