Vietnam will surpass Thailand to become the world’s second-largest rice exporter in 2025, highlighting the country’s growing position in global food supply. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, on the other hand, has urged authorities and manufacturers to shift their attention away from volume and towards developing a sustainable, high-value export market.
Vietnam’s rice sector is facing significant challenges such as salinity intrusion, prolonged drought, and climate change. Additionally, exporters must adhere to stricter quality standards in demanding markets such as the European Union and Japan.
The Prime Minister emphasised that weakening global demand has prompted exporters to lower prices, reducing Vietnam’s competitiveness. To maintain long-term growth, the country must invest in high-quality organic varieties, implement transparent traceability, and strengthen its national rice brand.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has been tasked with designing concrete measures as part of a project aimed at creating one million hectares of low-emission, high-quality rice fields by 2030.
Between January and July 2025, Vietnam exported 5.5 million tonnes of rice worth US$2.81 billion, up in volume but decreased 16% in value from the previous year. While India dominates mid-priced rice exports, Vietnam is steadily gaining momentum in nations like Japan, South Korea, and the EU.
