Vietnam Rice Record Exports

Vietnam’s rice exports reached a record 9.18 million tonnes in 2024, generating 5.75 billion USD, marking a 12.9% increase in volume and 23% in value compared to 2023. However, as 2025 unfolds, the rice market faces price declines and increasing competition. To sustain growth, Vietnamese exporters are focusing on quality improvements and market expansion.

Rising Global Rice Supply

Global rice production for the 2024-25 season is projected at 533.8 million tonnes, an 11.6 million tonne increase from the previous season, according to the USDA. With global rice supply reaching 713.1 million tonnes and trade hitting a record 57.2 million tonnes, prices are under pressure.

Since early 2025, Vietnam’s 5% broken rice has dropped to 404 USD per tonne, trailing behind Thailand, India, and Pakistan. The decline is largely due to higher supply and reduced imports from key buyers prioritizing domestic production.

In Thailand, the Thailand Rice Exporters Association (TREA) expects exports to fall to 7.5 million tonnes in 2025 due to competition from India and weaker demand from Indonesia. Meanwhile, India is ramping up production, with Rabi-season rice planting expanding to 3.515 million hectares by late January, up 15.7% from the previous year.

Flexible Production and Export Strategies

Vietnam’s autumn-winter harvest covered 711,000 hectares, producing 4.16 million tonnes of rice, according to the Department of Crop Production. The 2024-25 winter-spring crop has also begun harvesting, adding 1.02 million tonnes to supply. This increase has led to lower domestic prices, pushing for aggressive export strategies to support farmers.

By mid-January, Vietnam had already exported 268,700 tonnes, generating 165.7 million USD, marking a 38.7% rise in volume and 23.28% in value year-on-year. To sustain this momentum, trade promotion efforts are intensifying, with the Ministry of Industry and Trade implementing supportive policies for exporters.

However, financial backing remains crucial. Exporters require bank loans to strengthen purchasing power and meet growing export demands. The Vietnamese government recently issued Decree 01, amending previous rice trading regulations to enhance export efficiency while safeguarding domestic food security.

Expanding into New Markets

While traditional buyers such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia remain critical, 2025 efforts will focus on expanding into high-demand regions like the Middle East and Northern Europe. Additionally, Vietnam aims to reclaim market share in China, where competition has intensified.

By prioritizing quality, branding, and trade partnerships, Vietnam seeks to maintain its stronghold in the global rice market despite challenges. The coming months will test the resilience of exporters as they navigate price fluctuations and shifting trade dynamics.

Image Prompt:

A high-resolution image of a bustling rice export hub in Vietnam, showcasing warehouses filled with rice sacks, workers loading rice onto cargo ships, and a vibrant trading atmosphere. The Mekong Delta's lush rice fields in the background, symbolizing Vietnam’s dominance in global rice production.









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