HCMC – Vietnam’s rice exports amounted to 268,700 tons in the first 15 days of 2025, generating US$165.7 million in revenue, up by 38.7% and 23.28% compared to the same period last year, respectively.
The export price of Vietnam’s 5% broken rice has fallen to US$413 per ton, 25% broken rice to US$387 per ton, and 30% broken rice to US$330 per ton, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
Many businesses forecast a challenging outlook for rice exports in 2025, citing high production levels in 2024 and growing competition, especially from India as it re-enters the market.
According to Nguyen Ngoc Nam, chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, rice exports this year are expected to fall short of last year’s record of 9.04 million tons, with forecasts pegged at 7.5 million tons.
The rice market in the Mekong Delta is struggling, with slow sales as farmers try to sell their rice but find few buyers.
The ample global rice supply, especially from India and Thailand, has led to a sharp decline in the prices of IR 504 and OM 5451, which dropped by VND700 per kilogram, now ranging from VND5,500-5,700 per kilogram and VND5,800-6,000 per kilogram, respectively.
By January 20, the Mekong Delta provinces had completed 93% of their winter-spring crop planting, with areas like Dong Thap and An Giang making strong progress. However, some provinces are still facing difficulties due to weather conditions.
The current weather, with unpredictable rain and sunshine, cold mornings, and fog, has created ideal conditions for rice diseases such as rice blast, leaf blight, and grain discoloration to spread. Rice stem borer is also spreading rapidly, causing serious damage, particularly in Dong Thap, Long An, and Kien Giang.
The agricultural sector is urging farmers to conduct regular field checks and closely monitor pest activity, so they can take timely action to prevent further damage to the crop.
