The Philippines, which accounts for 40% of Vietnamese rice exports, was temporarily closed. However, Vietnam’s rice sector has remained resilient. With seven million tons of rice exported by mid-October 2025, Vietnam continues to affirm its position as the world’s second-largest rice exporter.
Mr. Do Ha Nam is the Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association. He stated that as of October 15, 2025, Vietnam had exported seven million tons of rice. According an estimate, the overall export value will be able to reach eight million tons for the year.
This would allow Vietnam to surpass Thailand and become the world’s second-largest rice exporter, after India. In comparison, Thailand has exported only 5.9 million tons, with a full-year estimate of just 7.5 million tons.
Vietnam’s rice
However, compared to 2024, Vietnam’s rice export volume has decreased by one million tons. The main reason is that the Philippines remains temporarily closed, with no clear reopening date. Notably, the Phillippinese was the number one rice-importing market for Vietnam, accounting for 40% of total exports.
If this situation continues into the winter–spring crop, which is the country’s main production season, both enterprises and farmers will face significant pressure. They may encounter challenges in production planning and sales of Vietnamese rice.
In addition to market difficulties, rice-exporting companies are currently facing severe capital shortages due to delays in VAT refunds. Since the implementation of the 5% provisional tax payment regulation on July 1, no company has received a refund. This has left the entire sector “locked” with hundreds of billions of VND.
Meanwhile, domestic rice prices have dropped sharply to around 5,000 VND/kg—the lowest in many years—adding to farmers’ difficulties. Previously, rice prices regularly maintained above 8,000 VND/kg.
Vietnamese rice exports
Do Ha Nam suggested that the government promptly resolve the VAT issues. He also recommended restoring the policy of not declaring and taxing semi-processed agricultural products as before. This would help stabilize production and consumption during periods of strong market fluctuations.
Even with the Philippines halting imports, Vietnam has maintained rice exports of nearly 500,000 tons per month. This demonstrates the flexible adaptability of enterprises in expanding their markets. Many new markets, such as Africa, China, and Japan, are emerging as bright spots.
In China, from the beginning of the year until now, the country has imported about 600,000 tons of Vietnam’s rice at nearly $500 per ton. This price is higher than the previous average of $400 per ton. This indicates that the quality of Vietnamese rice has increasingly recognized.
In Japan, despite import tariffs of up to 400%, Vietnamese rice companies have still found opportunities. Specialty products like ST25 rice are favorable by overseas Vietnamese and local consumers.
ST25 – special rice from Vietnam
On the international front, the moves by the Philippines and Indonesia toward food self-sufficiency pose long-term challenges. These developments could affect Vietnam’s rice sector. The Philippine Department of Agriculture aims to achieve 90% food self-sufficiency by 2028.
Meanwhile, Indonesia is likely to have a rice surplus of 4–5 million tons by the end of 2025. These are two of Vietnam’s top rice export markets. Therefore, diversifying markets and improving both the quality and value of Vietnamese rice has become more urgent than ever.
Amid these challenges, the proactive, creative, and responsible spirit of Vietnam’s rice enterprises continues to shine. The rice sector not only demonstrates its export capacity among the world’s leading producers. It also reflects the resilience of Vietnam’s agricultural industry—strong, flexible, and capable of overcoming difficulties to reach global markets.
Vietnamese source: https://thuehaiquan.tapchikinhtetaichinh.vn/gao-viet-nam-tiep-tuc-khang-dinh-vi-the-xuat-khau-hang-dau-the-gioi-200359.html&link=autochanger