In 2011, Vietnam exported 7.1 million tonnes of rice, earning US$3.65 billion, says VFA.   

The association is urging businesses to sign contracts to export 600,000-800,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2012.

In the Mekong River Delta the price of 5 percent broken rice is VND9,250-9,350 per kilo, 15 percent broken rice is now VND8,750-8,850 per kilo and 25 percent broken rice is listed at VND8,400-8,500 per kilo.

Some experts say that with Vietnam’s rice selling for US$300-400 per tonne less than rice from Thailand, the Vietnamese product is beginning to gain a bigger share of the markets in China, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Vietnam is planning to export high-quality rice to Africa to compete against low-grade products from India and Pakistan.

(VOV)