CAN THO – More than 80% of rice loaded for export at Vietnamese ports from mid-December 2025 to late January 2026 was shipped to the Philippines, according to the Vietnam Food Association (VFA).
VFA data showed that from December 20, 2025, to January 26, 2026, a total of 51 vessels loaded 344,220 tons of rice for export at ports in HCMC and My Thoi Port in An Giang Province. Shipments to the Philippines reached 277,220 tons, accounting for 80.54% of the total volume.
Africa was the second-largest destination during the period, with 50,000 tons, or 14.52%, followed by Malaysia with 17,000 tons, or 4.94%, VFA figures show.
In January 2026 alone, 26 vessels loaded 128,420 tons of rice for export in the first 26 days of the month.
Most of the rice was loaded at ports in HCMC, with a combined volume of 317,970 tons. My Thoi Port in the Mekong Delta handled 26,250 tons.
The surge in shipments coincided with the reopening of the Philippine rice import market on January 1, 2026, after an import suspension that began in September 2025.
Vietnam exported nearly 8.06 million tons of rice in 2025, valued at more than US$4.1 billion, down 10.8% in volume and 27.6% in value from 2024.
The Philippines remained the largest buyer last year, importing more than 3.2 million tons worth over US$1.57 billion, accounting for about 40% of Vietnam’s total export volume and 38.3% of export value.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment estimates Vietnam’s rice exportable supply in 2026 at more than 7.7 million tons after balancing domestic consumption and production.
