Can ThoRice production is facing many challenges from international market fluctuations, climatic conditions affecting farmers, according to Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.
The information was raised by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha in a meeting with leaders of the provinces and cities of the West on the management of rice production and consumption took place on March 7, in Can Tho City.
“Vietnam is currently the third -ranked country in the world in rice production and export, but is facing many challenges from the fluctuations of international markets and climatic conditions,” Mr. Ha said and said that farmers are facing many difficulties due to sharply reduced rice prices, while still suffering many risks due to climate change and weather. According to him, “the crop failure, the price of crop loss” for farmers, especially rice growers have become a familiar story.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha spoke in a meeting on March 7, in Can Tho. Image: An Binh
The Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged this as a problem that lasted for many years. If there is no effective solution, the risk of farmers leaving their fields. Therefore, the State needs solutions such as tools and policies, such as price adjustment, credit supply … timely support to protect the rights of farmers. Relevant ministries and branches clearly evaluate the main import markets of Vietnamese rice as well as competitors, closely coordinate to implement the solution.
In the long run, the Deputy Prime Minister instructed to build a comprehensive specialized database system in the field of rice. This system will integrate information from many stages: production, science and technology, processing, storage, market and forecast … with the goal of providing timely and accurate information to stakeholders, from farmers to enterprises and management agencies …
For the management of rice exports, the Deputy Prime Minister proposed to amend the Government’s Decree 107/2018 with important adjustments. Accordingly, businesses that want to be licensed for export must meet strict criteria, including production association capacity, warehouse system and financial capacity …
In order to support agricultural enterprises, the Deputy Prime Minister asked the State Bank to consider the application of preferential loan policies similar to social housing loans. At the same time, he proposed income tax exemption for agriculture in two years, in order to create favorable conditions for businesses to invest and develop. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology needs to develop a strategy to prevent other countries from illegally using Vietnamese rice brands.
Harvest rice in Can Tho. Image: An Binh
According to a report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in the first two months of 2025, Vietnam exported rice reached about 1.1 million tons, up 5.9% over the same period last year. However, the turnover value is only 613 million USD, down 13.6%. The average export rice price dropped deeply, to 553.6 USD per ton, 18.3% lower than the same period in 2024. In early March, the price of export rice continued to drop sharply, only: 310-367 USD per ton. Large markets such as the Philippines, Ivory Coast and Ghana are still the main customers of Vietnamese rice, but the purchasing power is not as vibrant as before.
Rice prices decreased due to increased world supply, impaired import demand and especially India’s lifting the ban on rice export, pushing a large amount of rice to the international market …
In order to ensure stability of rice production and consumption in the context of complicated weather and markets, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment proposed localities to follow the seasonal calendar, accelerate the harvest of the winter -spring crop, especially in coastal areas at risk of salinity. The Ministry will coordinate with related industries to closely monitor the fluctuation of the world rice market, timely information for businesses and farmers to adjust production and consumption appropriately.
In the long run, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment continues to promote the implementation of the Sustainable Development Project of one million hectares of high quality, low emissions associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta …
Forecast of Vietnam Food Association, Vietnam’s rice exports in 2025 will face difficulties, may only reach 7.5 million tons, down compared to a record of more than 9 million tons in 2024.
An Binh