Rice harvest in the Mekong River Delta (Photo: VOV)

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has proposed the Prime Minister consider promulgating a directive on strengthening rice exports in the new context in order to affirm Vietnam’s position and reputation in the global food supply chain and its contributions to global food security. 

Nguyen Nhu Cuong, Director of the Department of Crop Production of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said Vietnam has an abundant supply of rice this year. 

This year, Vietnam grows rice on an area of 7.1 million hectares. The crop in the Red River Delta, the Central Region, the Central Highlands and the Mekong River Delta is growing quite well. Without unusual natural disasters and epidemics, Vietnam expects to harvest a bumper crop in 2023.

Vietnam expects to produce more than 43.2 million tons of rice this year.

In the autumn-winter rice crop, the Department of Crop Production ordered the planting of an additional 50,000 ha of rice and the implementation of response measures against the El Nino phenomenon to minimize damage caused by adverse weather.

With its exerted efforts, Vietnam is confident to increase rice exports while fully ensuring domestic food security, Mr. Cuong said: "Last year, Vietnam's rice production was 42.7 million tons, more than 7.1 million tons were exported. This year, we expect to produce more than 43.2 million tons and export more than last year. The price will also rise. With the current national reserve, our rice supply is ensured."

The drought caused by El Nino has affected rice production in many Asian countries while inflation is rising, pushing the demand for food reserves to increase sharply.

Le Thanh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: "The demand for rice is very high and Vietnam has potential to boost exports in the coming time. Quality is the decisive factor to the reputation and brand of Vietnamese rice. Businesses must ensure product quality and promote their brands in the import markets."

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam can produce more than 43 million tons of rice this year. So, while ensuring food security for its 100 million people, Vietnam can export more than 7.5 million tons of rice. It is forecast that the demand for rice imports from other countries in the last months of the year will continue to increase.