Rice exports to reach 6.5 million tonnes in 2018

Vietnam will be able to export 6.5 million tonnes of rice in 2018, compared to 5.8 million tonnes in 2017, thanks to positive signs in export markets in the first two months of this year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. To sustain export value, around 80% of the rice shipped will be of high quality.

In the first two months of this year, Vietnam exported nearly 900 thousand tonnes of the grain for around 420 million USD, respectively up 17% and 34%, compared to the same period last year. The Philippines and China are the two biggest importers. Vietnam's rice prices are higher than Thailand's thanks to an increase in quality.