This is the second consecutive week that Vietnam’s rice price has increased after hitting a low of US$392 per tonne in early March. Following the same trend, Pakistan’s rice price has also surged by US$16 to US$398 per tonne.

On the other hand, India’s rice price dropped by US$6 to US$397 per tonne, now equal to Vietnam’s. Similarly, Thailand’s 5% broken rice price decreased by US$2 to $404 per tonne.

Vietnam’s rice exports have faced challenges recently due to policy adjustments in the Philippines, a major importer of Vietnamese rice. According to statistics from Philippine authorities, as of March 13, total rice imports stood at nearly 641,000 tonnes, a significant drop compared to nearly 1.2 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2024.

Another reason is that the Philippine government is actively diversifying its supply sources. A report from the country’s Ministry of Agriculture indicates that in early 2025, Thailand and Pakistan’s rice market shares have each increased to 10%, reducing Vietnam’s share to only one-third of total imports, whereas it usually accounts for over two-thirds. This poses a considerable challenge for Vietnamese rice exporters in this traditional market.

At present, the Mekong Delta provinces are at the peak of the winter-spring rice harvest. Traders are actively purchasing rice at relatively good prices, up by VND100–200 per kg compared to last week.

While Vietnam’s rice price is on an upward trend, Thai rice exporters are concerned about a potential trade war with the United States under President Donald Trump. The US was Thailand’s third largest rice export market in 2024.

Thai experts worry that President Trump may impose tariffs on Thai goods, as the country has maintained a growing trade surplus with the US over the past decade. Thailand's trade surplus with the US in 2024 reached US$35.42 billion, making it the 11th largest trade surplus country with the US.

Vietnam’s rice export prices show signs of recovery

Vietnam’s rice export prices are showing signs of recovery after a prolonged period of decline, according to the Vietnam Food Association (VFA).