Accumulated from the beginning of the year to December 15, rice exports reached more than 7.93 million tons. The turnover was nearly 4.54 billion USD which was up 15.4% in volume and nearly 36% in turnover over the same period.
According to the General Department of Customs, in the first half of December (December 1-15), Vietnam exported 292,192 tons of rice with a turnover of 200 million USD. Accumulated from the beginning of the year to December 15, Vietnam exported more than 7.93 million tons of rice. The turnover reached nearly 4.54 billion USD which was an increase of 15.4% compared to the same period last year.
Rice exports are about to reach 08 million tons in 2023.
Assessing the rice export situation in 2023, Mr. Tran Thanh Hai – Deputy Director of the Import & Export Department – Ministry of Industry and Trade said that: In the picture of import and export in 2023, there are not many bright spots. However, some export items still achieved high results, typically vegetables and rice. This is a positive result, showing the efforts of enterprises in expanding markets and catching opportunities for exports.
Regarding the export market (updated by the General Department of Customs at the end of November), ASEAN and China are the two largest markets of Vietnam. In particular, exports to ASEAN reached 4.58 million tons, up 25.6% over the same period last year; China reached 896,000 tons, up 10.9%. In general, rice exported to these two markets reached 5.48 million tons, accounting for 72% of Vietnam’s rice exports in the same period.
Within ASEAN, the Philippines and Indonesia are the two largest rice export markets of Vietnam. Mr. Pham The Cuong, Vietnam Trade Counselor in Indonesia, said that in the past 05 years, since 2018, this country’s average rice production has been relatively stable at around 31 million tons/year, while consumption is about more than 30 million tons/year. This continues to be an opportunity for Vietnam’s rice exports, especially when the weather is not favorable for agricultural production, Indonesia’s rice import demand will be huge, as in the case of 2023.
It is forecast that in the first half of 2024, Indonesia will continue to import rice. The amount and time of imports will be decided by the Indonesian government based on domestic production, weather, and market. Therefore, according to Mr. Cuong, Vietnamese enterprises need to closely update market information to take advantage of the opportunity to export rice in the first months of 2024.
The sustainable operation of the production chain needs to be prioritized. Rice exports are currently facing high competition, unstable supply, and climate change… It requires this important industry to have a turnaround strategy to find a more sustainable new direction.
Vietnam is expected to export 08 million tons of rice in 2023 which is the highest level since 1989 (the year Vietnam started exporting rice) so far./.
