Vietnam’s rice exports experiencing golden period: experts

HANOI, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) — Vietnam’s rice industry is experiencing a golden period, with exports projected to surpass 5 billion U.S. dollars this year, Vietnam News Agency reported Thursday, citing experts’ prediction.
According to the Vietnam Food Association, Vietnamese rice’s average export price hit a record high of 636 dollars per ton in the first seven months of this year, outpacing that of its main rivals like Thailand, Pakistan and India.
While Vietnam is boldly pursuing new markets in the Middle East, Africa, South America, the Republic of Korea, and Japan, traditional ones like the Philippines, Indonesia, and China remain important purchasers.
The country shipped over 5.1 million tons of rice worth 3.2 billion dollars abroad from January to July, up 25 percent in volume and 5.8 percent in value annually, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. ■