The structure of Vietnam's rice for exports has shifted towards increasing the proportion of high-value-added rice varieties and reducing the rate of low-grade rice products.

The loosening of social distancing measures and increasing global demand have opened up great opportunities for Vietnamese rice exporters, according to experts.

Vietnam's rice exports to the Philippines still won a lion share of 87% in the first half of this year.

Despite a fall in Vietnam's rice exports so far this year, experts held that the situation will be improved once the COVID-19 pandemic is controlled.

VOV.VN - Vietnam exported approximately 3.03 million tonnes of rice worth US$1.65 billion during the first half of the year with the average rice export price increasing 11.7% to roughly US$544.4 per tonne, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

VOV.VN - Vietnam is anticipated to become the world’s third largest rice exporter next year with an estimated export volume reaching 6.3 million tonnes, according to the projection made by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

VOV.VN - By recording high export prices coupled with a consistent increase in orders, Vietnamese rice exports are projected to continue witnessing an upward trajectory during the second quarter against the previous quarter, according to industry insiders.

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s rice exports are anticipated to continue rising during the second half of the year due to high demand for the staple caused by the complicated nature of the COVID-19 pandemic globally, according to industry insiders.

The Philippines’s lowering tariffs on imported rice would open up opportunities for Vietnam to maintain stable supply of the product for the country and helping it stabilise the domestic market, the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade said.

Vietnamese rice exporters have been urged to play a more active role in utilising free trade agreements (FTAs) to which Vietnam is a party to boost falling exports.