Mekong Delta fetches nearly US$1 bil from rice exports
(VOV) - The Mekong Delta region has exported 42,000 tonnes of rice, bringing total rice volume for the period January to June 2014 to 2.5 million tonnes, earning nearly US$1 billion, according to the Steering Committee for the Southwestern Region.
Asia, especially the Philippines is the largest consumption market, making up 78% of rice volume, up 5% from the same period last year, followed by Europe, America, Africa, the Pacific and Middle East.
Nguyen Phong Quang, deputy head of the Steering Committee for the South-western region said the positive results are attributed to the fact that localities have intensified marketing activities in Asia and Middle East markets.
In addition, An Giang, Tien Giang, SocTrang and Can Tho have also expanded rice production models under the VietGAP, GlobalGAP standards, to improve competitive advantages for Vietnamese rice.
In particular, localities provided around VND8,000 billion in loans to businesses to purchase materials and strengthen links with farmers and scientists to expand material zones in order to create high quality varieties.