Vietnam to Raise Rice Export to 3.4mln in First Half of 2009

Vietnam has retargeted to export 3.4 million tons of rice in the first half of 2009, about 300,000 tons higher than initial target.

 

The new target was set in the meeting on adjusting rice export between the Ministries of Industry and Trade and Agriculture and Rural Development in Hanoi, at the time rice export sharply increased in the past two months of the year.

 

The ministries said Vietnamese companies have so far this year signed contracts to export nearly 3.7 million tons of rice.

 

The Vietnam Food Association said rice export price has increased to between US$380 and US$430/ton, the record high over the past 20 years.

 

Meanwhile at local market, prices of winter-spring paddy are forecast to surpass VND5,000 a kilogram in the coming time, from current VND4,700-VND4,800.

 

Huynh Minh Hue, acting general secretary of Vietnam Food Association, said local farmers should not worry about paddy consumption in 2008-2009 winter-spring crop because paddy’s quality in the crop is usually good, and local companies will buy 5 per cent-10 per cent of rice for reserve and export late 2009.

 

The Plantation Department said Mekong Delta provinces have cultivated 1.54 million hectares of paddy for 2008-2009 winter-spring crop. The provinces expected to harvest 9.5 million-9.8 million tons of paddy, of which more than 3 million tons of rice will be for export.

 

In the first two months, they exported more than 1.054 million tons, raking in US$479 million, up 2.29 times on year in volume and 2.51 times in value.

 

In January, Vietnam exported only 270,845 tons of rice worth more than US$110 million to 22 countries and territories worldwide, down 1.6 times in volume and 1.7 times in value against December 2008.

 

Followings were Vietnam’s rice importers in January 2009

 

Number	Market	January
		Volume (Ton)	Value (USD)
1	Angola	7,075	2,782,055
2	Belgium	1,666	456,925
3	Ivory Coast	16,000	6,109,500
4	UAE	625	270,565
5	Cuba	43,525	18,031,005
6	Taiwan	7,477	2,831,790
7	East Timor	25,851	9,683,445
8	Holland	185	79,050
9	Hong Kong	243	96,610
10	Indonesia	7,200	2,750,251
11	Iraq	31,500	12,600,000
12	Italy	1,008	323,266
13	Israel	818	381,070
14	Malaysia	52,189	22,730,230
15	South Africa	500	166,000
16	Russia	23,325	9,900,062
17	Australia	373	253,165
18	France	470	213,400
19	Philippines	4,432	1,561,202
20	Singapore	8,195	3,249,250
21	Spain	1,532	566,226
22	Ukraine	1,000	443,000
Total		270.845	110,130,272

(Vietnam Agriculture, Vinanet.vn)