HCMC – Vietnam’s cassava exports rose sharply in volume in the first five months of this year, but earnings remained subdued due to persistently low international prices and stiff competition, official data showed.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade reported that Vietnam exported 1.98 million tons of cassava and cassava-based products from January to May, earning US$601.84 million. While the export volume jumped nearly 60% from the same period last year, the value increased by only 7%, highlighting the continued pressure on prices.
By contrast, Thailand exported over 2.7 million tons in the first four months of the year, valued at US$740.6 million, according to the International Trade Center (ITC). Despite a 31.9% rise in volume, the value of Thailand’s exports fell by 12.6%, underscoring broader price volatility in the global tapioca market.
Vietnam remains a key supplier of cassava to China, but it continues to trail behind Thailand in market share. During the first half of 2025, Thailand accounted for 79.21% of China’s cassava chip imports, while Vietnam supplied just 19.74%, according to data from Sublime China Information.
Exporters attribute the sluggish value growth to the perception of Vietnamese cassava as a low-cost commodity. Prices have followed a volatile trend since early 2024—alternating between declines and brief rebounds—yet remain below last year’s levels. Domestic spot prices have mirrored these fluctuations.
At the World Tapioca Conference 2025, held in Thailand in late July, global industry players emphasized the need to improve product value and enhance cooperation across the supply chain. Themed “Thailand Tapioca Next: Go Global Go Together,” the event gathered stakeholders from over 16 countries to discuss strategies amid rising competition.
While Vietnam continues to expand its export volumes, analysts say long-term gains will depend on moving beyond low-price positioning to focus on higher-value production and branding.
