HCM City (VNS/VNA) – Vietnam’s rice industry is facing a steep drop in export prices, even as shipment volumes climb, underscoring the challenges of a volatile global grain market.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the country exported an estimated 4.5 million tonnes of rice in the first five months of 2025, equivalent to 4.5 billion kilogrammes, generating approximately 2.34 billion USD.

While the quantity rose by 12.2% year-on-year, export value declined by 8.9%. This sharp contrast resulted from a significant decrease in the average export price, which dropped to around 0.516 USD per kg, down 18.7% compared to the same period last year.

Domestically, paddy prices across the Mekong Delta remained relatively stable throughout the past week.

In provinces like Vinh Long and Tien Giang, IR 50404 paddy continued to be traded at 6,600 VND per kg (0.26 USD).

OM18 was priced at 7,500 VND per kg (0.295 USD) in Can Tho, 8,100 VND per kg (0.319 USD) in Soc Trang, and 7,000 VND per kg (0.275 USD) in Tien Giang.

Jasmine rice reached 8,400 VND per kg (0.331 USD) in Can Tho and 7,100 VND per kg (0.28 USD) in Tien Giang.

ST 25 remained one of the most valuable varieties, holding at 9,500 VND per kg (0.375 USD).

In An Giang province, fresh IR 50404 paddy was being purchased by traders at 5,400–5,600 VND per kg (0.213–0.221 USD), OM 380 at 5,200–5,400 VND per kg (0.205–0.213 USD), and OM 5451 at 6,200–6,400 VND per kg (0.245–0.253 USD), according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment.

Retail rice prices in An Giang also displayed diversity, depending on type and quality.

Ordinary rice varieties ranged between 14,000–15,000 VND per kg (0.553–0.593 USD), while aromatic long-grain rice imported from Thailand reached 20,000–22,000 VND per kg (0.79–0.87 USD).

Jasmine rice was sold at 16,000–18,000 VND per kg (0.63–0.71 USD), Nang Hoa at 21,000 VND per kg (0.83 USD), and Japanese rice, along with Huong Lai, was priced at 22,000 VND per kg (0.87 USD).

Varieties like Soc Thai and Taiwanese fragrant rice also stood at around 20,000 VND (0.79 USD) per kg.

In processing facilities, the price of raw IR 504 rice was between 7,900–8,000 VND per kg (0.312–0.316 USD), with the finished product reaching 9,500–9,700 VND per kg (0.375–0.383 USD).

OM 380 raw rice was sold at 7,850–8,000 VND per kg (0.31–0.316 USD), while processed OM 380 rice fetched 8,800–9,000 VND per kg (0.347–0.355 USD).

By the end of May, Vietnamese farmers had planted roughly 4.22 million hectares of rice.

However, the harvested area shrank to 2.57 million hectares, producing an estimated 17.5 million tonnes of rice, down 2% year-on-year.

The yield per hectare saw a slight improvement to about 6.8 tonnes.

The Philippines remained Vietnam’s largest rice importer, accounting for 41.4% of the country’s total exports.

Cote d'Ivoire followed with 11.9%, and China with 10.3%.

Despite the volume, the Philippines’ import value dropped 21.8% in the first four months.

In contrast, exports to Cote d'Ivoire surged by 2.7 times, and shipments to China increased by 83.7%.

Bangladesh posted the most dramatic rise — a 515.6-fold increase in value — while Indonesia recorded a sharp 97.9% decline.

The Vietnam Food Association (VFA) reported that Vietnam’s 5% broken rice is currently quoted at 0.393 USD per kg, down 0.003 USD from last 🍨week./.