Rice – Vietnam's Main Export Product: Why Is It Still Needed To Import From Other Countries?

Vietnam has always been one of the world's leading rice exporters, with a solid position thanks to its production advantages and product quality. 

However, according to a recent report by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Vietnam is expected to simultaneously become the second largest rice importer in the world by 2025 and 2026. This is not a contradiction but a smart economic strategy, aiming to optimize resources and meet diverse needs.

Let's take a look at the comparison of rice import forecasts of leading countries:

• Philippines: 5.5 million tons – The largest importer, mainly from Vietnam.
• Vietnam: 4.0 – 4.1 million tonnes – Strong exports and imports, reflecting flexibility in trade.
• Nigeria: 3.0 million tonnes – Rising demand due to large population and preference for cheap rice.
• China: 2.4 million tonnes – Imports from Asia to regulate the domestic market.
• EU: 2.2 million tonnes – Slight decrease due to growing domestic production.
• Indonesia: 0.8 million tonnes – Sharp decrease due to increased domestic production.

In fact, the rice market is very diverse with product segments: rice used for cooking, raw rice for food processing such as cakes, vermicelli, pho, as well as by-products or animal feed.

In recent years, Vietnamese farmers have shifted to producing high-quality fragrant rice for export, bringing great economic value. However, to meet domestic demand for cheap rice with good expansion, businesses often import from India, Myanmar or Pakistan, helping to reduce input costs and improve production efficiency.

Furthermore, Vietnam also imports rice from Cambodia for preliminary processing, inspection and re-export to high-end markets such as the EU, Korea, Japan or the Middle East. This is supported by a convenient seaport system (such as Cai Mep, Cat Lai) and free trade agreements (FTAs), which help reduce or eliminate import taxes, increasing the competitiveness of Vietnamese rice compared to competitors such as Thailand, India or Pakistan, especially in markets such as the EU, UK, Chile and Mexico.

In general, exporting and importing rice is a modern strategy, helping Vietnam take advantage of high-quality rice production, import cheap rice for industry and livestock, and effectively meet domestic demand. This not only brings economic benefits but also contributes to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector.

Let's follow and support the development of Vietnamese agriculture!