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Exports

Via ++t Nam's Rice Exports and Imports: Surprising Trends in 2025

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Via ++t Nam's rice exports have reached a significant milestone in the first seven months of 2025, with 5.5 million tonnes worth US$2.81 billion being shipped overseas. However, despite the substantial exports, the country's rice trade surplus has taken a hit, plummeting by 30% year-on-year to US$1.81 billion. The slump is attributed to a substantial increase in rice imports, with the country spending as much as US$1 billion on foreign rice in just seven months. This trend has led experts to forecast that Via ++t Nam could become the world's second-largest rice importer, surpassing its current position as a major rice exporter.

Key Takeaways:

  • Via ++t Nam's rice exports in the first seven months of 2025 reached 5.5 million tonnes, a 3.1% increase in volume but a 15.9% decrease in value compared to the same period last year.
  • The rice trade surplus has dropped by 30% year-on-year to US$1.81 billion.
  • The country spent as much as US$1 billion on rice imports in the first seven months.
  • The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts that Via ++t Nam could become the world's second-largest rice importer, with imports projected to hit a record 4.1 million tonnes.
  • Domestic figures still require verification, as the USDA statistics may be significantly off due to the lumping of paddy and milled rice, and failure to convert paddy into milled rice equivalents.
  • Via ++t Nam mainly imports paddy from Cambodia for processing and re-export, while also importing milled rice from India for making noodles, rice paper, and other products.

Statistics:

  • Via ++t Nam's rice exports in the first 7 months of 2025: 5.5 million tonnes (up 3.1% in volume, down 15.9% in value year-on-year).
  • Rice trade surplus in the same period: US$1.81 billion (down 30% year-on-year).
  • Rice imports in 2024: 3.2 million tonnes worth US$1.2 billion.
  • USDA's forecast for Via ++t Nam's rice imports: 4.1 million tonnes (projected record).
  • Average milling rate: approximately 55%.

Sources:

  • The July sector report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
  • The US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
  • An interview with -- Ha Nam, chairman of the Via ++t Nam Food Association (VFA), published in newspaper NgAEdega i Lao Aa tmng.

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