Inconsistent quality, high logistics cost holding back VN rice exports: experts

The quality of Vietnamese rice has been recognised more in recent years, but inconsistency and logistical challenges are holding back its potential, experts said.
Inconsistent quality, high logistics cost holding back VN rice exports: experts

Rice harvesting in the Mekong Delta – Photo: nld.com.vn

According to experts, the quality of Vietnamese rice has been recognised more in recent years, but inconsistency and logistical challenges are holding back its potential.

Phạm Quang Diệu, a rice market analyst at Agromonitor agricultural consultancy agency, said that Việt Nam’s rice exports in recent years had grown as international traders started to acknowledge the competitive strength of the country's rice.

Sticky rice from Việt Nam currently accounts for 70 per cent to 80 per cent of global exports of the product.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the first five months of 2022, Việt Nam has exported nearly 2.8 million tonnes of rice, worth US$1.35 billion in revenue.

However, there are some obstacles limiting Việt Nam's rice exports.

Nguyễn Quốc Toản, head of the Agro-Processing and Market Development Authority (Agrotrade Vietnam) under the ministry, said that due to the effect of the global economic downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers’ profits suffered. In addition, high fertiliser prices had raised production costs.

Bùi Kim Thùy, an economic expert, suggested that boosting technical skill on food safety along with tariffs play a crucial part in the competitiveness of Vietnamese rice around the world.

“So, the industry needs to focus on creating high quality products with good branding”, Thùy said.

According to Trần Ngọc Thạch, chairman of Cửu Long Delta Rice Research Institute, the biggest drawback of Vietnamese rice right now is the inconsistent quality of exports.

This is due to the lack of large-scale farming plantations as currently most rice is grown on many small fields. These drawbacks cause many problems related to food security, hygiene and pesticide residues.

In order to improve the value of rice, the industry should consider developing better rice processing plants, monitor quality and build the brand name of Vietnamese rice.

Nguyễn Chánh Trung, deputy general director of agriculture company Tân Long Group, said that Việt Nam had a few rice brands that have received recognition, such as ST24 and ST25, as the best tasting rice in the world. The industry now needed to properly invest in improving the processing of rice.

Logistic infrastructure is another.

According to Đỗ Thu Hường, deputy marketing director of Sài Gòn Newport Corporation, 80 per cent of the Mekong Delta's exported goods travel through Hồ Chí Minh City and Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu ports, making shipping expensive. While logistics adds an average of around 10 per cent to the price of a product globally, in the Mekong Delta, logistics costs add about 30 per cent to agricultural products. – VNS.

Source: VNA

Related News

Quang Ninh Customs seeks solutions to promote import and export

Quang Ninh Customs seeks solutions to promote import and export

VCN - Quang Ninh Customs Department has made efforts to synchronously deploy solutions to accompany, support and resolve difficulties for businesses, contributing to improving import and export activities through the area.
Opportunities for accelerating Vietnam

Opportunities for accelerating Vietnam's seafood exports

VCN - Seafood is one of the key industries contributing significantly to Vietnam's export turnover. In the first nine months of the year, seafood exports brought in US$7.16 billion, an 8.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Among the factors driving this success, aside from favorable market conditions, the effective utilization of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), has played a crucial role. However, along with achievements, the industry also faces challenges, including market competition and trade defense lawsuits. Nguyen Hoai Nam, Deputy Secretary-General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), shared insights on these issues.
Trade Defense: The Key to Success for Vietnamese Businesses

Trade Defense: The Key to Success for Vietnamese Businesses

VCN - From losses and near bankruptcy, many domestic enterprises have recovered thanks to timely application of trade defense measures. Trade defense is also an effective shield for Vietnamese enterprises against a series of lawsuits from importing countries, thereby maintaining advantages and developing on "away grounds".
Cat Lai Port sees over 1,000 export shipments cleared by customs each day

Cat Lai Port sees over 1,000 export shipments cleared by customs each day

VCN - The volume of goods exported through Cat Lai port is showing signs of increasing sharply in the last months of 2024.

Latest News

Many factors affecting tuna exports in the last months of the year

Many factors affecting tuna exports in the last months of the year

VCN - Tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, tuna businesses are worried, they may have to stop export orders to the Israeli market in the last months of the year.
Vietnam still dominates Philippine rice import

Vietnam still dominates Philippine rice import

Vietnam continues to assert its dominance as the top rice exporter to the Philippines, with 2.91 million tonnes shipped as of the late October, or over 79% of the Philippines' total rice imports, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in the Philippines.
Vietnam cements ties with partners to engage in global semiconductor, AI industries

Vietnam cements ties with partners to engage in global semiconductor, AI industries

By boosting cooperation with reputable partners across the globe, Vietnam is taking steps to gain a foothold in the world’s semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) industries.
Aquatic exports expected to rise in year-end despite challenges

Aquatic exports expected to rise in year-end despite challenges

Aquatic exports is expected to surge in the remaining months of this year, as the year-end festive season comes, despite many challenges in the international markets, according to insiders.

More News

Lao Cai Customs sees a triple-digit surge in export-import turnover

Lao Cai Customs sees a triple-digit surge in export-import turnover

VCN - Updated from the beginning of the year to October 24, total import and export turnover through Lao Cai Customs Department increased by 102%.
Coconut is expected to become a billion-dollar export item

Coconut is expected to become a billion-dollar export item

VCN - Talking to the press at the ceremony to launch the first train carrying fresh coconuts to China, Mr. Luu Van Phi, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Tien Giang province, said that Vietnam's agricultural export potential, especially fresh coconuts, is expanding with the appearance of international railway transportation from Song Than station.
Plastic exporters interested in converting to recycling technology

Plastic exporters interested in converting to recycling technology

VCN - The Vietnamese plastics industry is facing major challenges in terms of plastic waste and recycling needs. Secretary General of the Vietnam Plastics Association Huynh Thi My (pictured) shared important information about the transformation in production of plastics enterprises to meet increasing export demands.
Logistics sector must embrace innovative trends to stay competitive

Logistics sector must embrace innovative trends to stay competitive

The Vietnamese logistics industry must adapt to new trends and enhance infrastructure to remain globally competitive, speakers said at an event in Ho Chi Minh City on October 31.
Vietnam’s agro-forestry-aquatic product exports likely to set new record

Vietnam’s agro-forestry-aquatic product exports likely to set new record

Vietnam’s agro-forestry-aquatic product exports are likely to achieve a record high of 62 billion USD in 2024, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien.
UKVFTA greatly benefits Vietnam-UK trade: Experts

UKVFTA greatly benefits Vietnam-UK trade: Experts

The UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), signed into law three years ago, has clearly benefited trade cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the context of Vietnam’s exports to most other major markets declining due to geopolitical tensions and headwinds in the global economy, said experts at a conference in Hanoi on October 30.
Agricultural exports likely to exceed 60 billion USD amid challenges

Agricultural exports likely to exceed 60 billion USD amid challenges

With swift production recovery and continued growth, Vietnam's agricultural sector could potentially surpass the 60 billion USD export target, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
Vietnam-Philippines trade likely to exceed 8 billion USD for first time

Vietnam-Philippines trade likely to exceed 8 billion USD for first time

With the current rising trend, trade between Vietnam and the Philippines is likely to exceed 8 billion USD for the first time to hit about 8.5 billion USD in 2024, with Vietnam’s surplus of more than 3 billion USD, according to the Vietnamese Trade Office in the Philippines.
A bitter nut

A bitter nut's surprisingly sweet export success

VCN - The latest statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs show that in the first 15 days of October (October 1-15), Vietnam's coffee exports reached 21,489 tons, with a turnover of US$125.8 million.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
Many factors affecting tuna exports in the last months of the year

Many factors affecting tuna exports in the last months of the year

VCN - In recent years, Israel has always been Vietnam's leading tuna export market after the US and the EU. Therefore, the recent escalation of Israel-Iran tensions is affecting Vietnam's tuna exports to this market.
Vietnam still dominates Philippine rice import

Vietnam still dominates Philippine rice import

Vietnam continues to assert its dominance as the top rice exporter to the Philippines, with 2.91 million tonnes shipped as of the late October, or over 79% of the Philippines' total rice imports, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in the Philippines.
Vietnam cements ties with partners to engage in global semiconductor, AI industries

Vietnam cements ties with partners to engage in global semiconductor, AI industries

By boosting cooperation with reputable partners across the globe, Vietnam is taking steps to gain a foothold in the world’s semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) industries.
Aquatic exports expected to rise in year-end despite challenges

Aquatic exports expected to rise in year-end despite challenges

Aquatic exports is expected to surge in the remaining months of this year, as the year-end festive season comes, despite many challenges in the international markets, according to insiders.
Trade Defense: The Key to Success for Vietnamese Businesses

Trade Defense: The Key to Success for Vietnamese Businesses

VCN - From losses and near bankruptcy, many domestic enterprises have recovered thanks to timely application of trade defense measures. Trade defense is also an effective shield for Vietnamese enterprises against a series of lawsuits from importing countr
Mobile Version