Vietnam's rice exports from January 1 to 15 reached 268,700 tonnes (Photo: VNA)

However, export prices for 5% broken rice fell to 413 USD per tonne, with 25% broken rice at 387 USD per tonne.

Despite the positive start, the VFA predicts a challenging year for rice exports, citing global competition and India’s return to the export market. The projected annual export volume for 2025 is 7.5 million tonnes, down from the record 9.04 million tonnes in 2024.

In the domestic market, farmers in the Mekong Delta are facing slower demand and lower prices for rice. Key varieties like IR 50404 and OM 5451 are trading at 5,500–5,700 VND/kg and 5,800–6,000 VND/kg, respectively. The decline is attributed to ample global supply, particularly from competitors such as India and Thailand.

Retail rice prices in An Giang range from 15,000 to VND (60 USD cent) 22,000 VND (88 USD cent) per kg, depending on the variety. Meanwhile, by-products like rice bran and broken rice fetch between 5,600–7,300 VND/kg.

As of January 20, Mekong Delta provinces have sown over 1.46 million hectares of the winter-spring crop, with 85,000 hectares already harvested.

However, erratic weather, including alternating rain and sunshine, has heightened risks of diseases such as leaf blight and pests like gall midges, particularly in provinces such as Dong Thap and Kien Giang.

The agriculture sector advises farmers to closely monitor their fields and take preventive measures to minimize potential losses early in the season./.