According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam exported an estimated 4.5 million tonnes of rice, equivalent to 4.5 billion kilogrammes, from January to May. This brought in approximately USD 2.34 billion in export revenue.
While export volume rose by 12.2 per cent compared to the same period last year, the total value declined by 8.9 per cent. The average export price fell to around USD 0.516 per kilogramme, a year-on-year decrease of 18.7 per cent.
Domestically, paddy prices in the Mekong Delta have remained largely stable over the past week. In Vinh Long and Tien Giang provinces, IR 50404 paddy is still traded at VND 6,600 (approximately USD 0.26) per kilogramme.
OM18 was priced at VND 7,500 (USD 0.295) in Can Tho, VND 8,100 (USD 0.319) in Soc Trang, and VND 7,000 (USD 0.275) in Tien Giang. Jasmine rice reached VND 8,400 (USD 0.331) in Can Tho and VND 7,100 (USD 0.28) in Tien Giang. ST25, one of the most premium varieties, held firm at VND 9,500 (USD 0.375) per kilogramme.
In An Giang province, fresh IR 50404 paddy was purchased at VND 5,400–5,600 (USD 0.213–0.221) per kilogramme, OM 380 at VND 5,200–5,400 (USD 0.205–0.213), and OM 5451 at VND 6,200–6,400 (USD 0.245–0.253), according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment.
Retail rice prices in An Giang also varied depending on type and quality. Common rice varieties ranged between VND 14,000 and 15,000 (USD 0.553–0.593) per kilogramme. Thai-imported aromatic long-grain rice sold for VND 20,000–22,000 (USD 0.79–0.87), Jasmine rice for VND 16,000–18,000 (USD 0.63–0.71), Nang Hoa at VND 21,000 (USD 0.83), and Japanese rice, along with Huong Lai, at VND 22,000 (USD 0.87). Fragrant varieties such as Soc Thai and Taiwanese rice were priced at around VND 20,000 (USD 0.79) per kilogramme.
At processing plants, raw IR 504 rice fetched VND 7,900–8,000 (USD 0.312–0.316) per kilogramme, with finished rice priced at VND 9,500–9,700 (USD 0.375–0.383). OM 380 raw rice traded at VND 7,850–8,000 (USD 0.31–0.316), while the processed version sold for VND 8,800–9,000 (USD 0.347–0.355).
By the end of May, Vietnam had planted approximately 4.22 million hectares of rice. However, the harvested area shrank to 2.57 million hectares, producing an estimated 17.5 million tonnes, down 2 per cent year-on-year, though yield per hectare improved slightly to about 6.8 tonnes.
The Philippines remained Vietnam’s largest rice importer, accounting for 41.4 per cent of total shipments. Côte d'Ivoire followed with 11.9 per cent, and China with 10.3 per cent. However, the Philippines' import value dropped by 21.8 per cent during the first four months of the year.
In contrast, exports to Côte d'Ivoire surged by 2.7 times, and shipments to China rose by 83.7 per cent. Bangladesh posted the most dramatic increase, a 515.6-fold rise in value, while Indonesia recorded a sharp 97.9 per cent decline.
According to the Vietnam Food Association, the current export price for Vietnam’s 5 per cent broken rice stands at USD 0.393 per kilogramme, down by USD 0.003 from last week.
