Vietnamese rice to face tough competition in 2014
(VOV) - The Vietnam Food Association (VFA) has forecasted Vietnamese rice will face tough competition from Thailand and other rice-exporting Asian nations in 2014.
The VFA believes quality Vietnamese fragrant and white rice enjoys competitive advantages in Chinese, African, and Southeast Asian markets.
Southeast Asia’s rice import demands have stagnated or even slumped, but China’s hunger for Vietnamese rice shows no sign of diminishing.
The VFA was careful to acknowledge the Chinese market’s inherent risks and comparatively low prices. It promised to devote resources to consolidating shares in traditional markets and expanding promotional efforts in emerging markets.
Business representatives also urged the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and relevant agencies to encourage cross-border exports.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the MOIT should devise an overarching rice sector strategy that includes strict chemical residue monitoring for intended US, EU, Japanese, and South Korean exports.