1. Research results

1.1. Overview of the situation of Vietnam's rice exports in the period 2016-2020

According to estimates by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, rice exports in 2020 will reach 6.15 million tons, worth about 3.07 billion USD. Although the amount of rice exported decreased by about 3.5% compared to 2019, mainly to ensure national food security, the export value increased by 9.3%. As a result, the average annual export price is estimated at 499 USD/ton, up 13.3% compared to 2019. This is the highest average price in recent years, greatly benefiting farmers.

1.2. Status of sustainable development of Vietnam's rice exports

1.2.1. About the increase in export turnover

Table 1. Rice export turnover of Vietnam in the period 2016-2020

source: General Department of Customs

Table 1 shows that, in 2018, export rice output was estimated at 6.1 million tons, 3.8 times higher than rice export volume in 1990; Vietnam's rice export turnover increased sharply, more than 11 times, from $ 275.4 million in 1990 to $ 3.0 billion in 2018.

1.2.2. About the structure of exported rice products

Table 2. The proportion of rice export structure of Vietnam in the period 2015-2020

Source: Annual rice market report

The data in Table 2 shows that, at present, Vietnam exports mainly rice varieties, including white rice, Japonica gao, Jasmine rice, and fragrant rice, sticky rice. The structure of rice varieties for export has shifted in the direction that the white rice is decreasing. In contrast, the proportion of other types of rice has increased rapidly in recent years—new high-value rice varieties meet the needs of high-end markets. In 2015, the proportion of white rice was 53%; by the end of 2020, the ratio of white rice had decreased to only 32.5% (general data for the first 11 months of 2020).

The structure of rice export categories since 2018 has changed significantly. White rice has decreased to 51% of the total export value of rice, Jasmine rice and fragrant rice of all kinds have increased to 32%, flexible rice of all types accounted for 12%, and round grain rice (Japonica) accounted for about 5%. In particular, low-quality rice accounts for only 2%.

1.2.3. About the structure of the rice export market

Vietnamese rice has been exported to more than 100 countries and territories worldwide in recent years. In terms of market structure, it can be seen that Vietnam's rice is present in nearly 150 countries and territories with various products such as long-grain rice, short-grain rice, fragrant rice, parboiled rice, and organic rice muscle. China has always been Vietnam's largest rice-consuming market, and Vietnam is also the most extensive rice supplier to China (accounting for approximately 50% of China's total rice imports). However, rice exports to some main markets decreased from 2013 to 2018.

Table 3. Rice export turnover of Vietnam to some key markets in 2019, 2020

Source: Annual rice market report

The data in Table 2 shows that, at present, Vietnam exports mainly rice varieties including: white rice, Japonica gao, Jasmine rice and fragrant rice, sticky rice. The structure of rice varieties for export has shifted in the direction that the white rice is decreasing. In contrast, the proportion of other types of rice has increased rapidly in recent years—new high-value rice varieties meet the needs of high-end markets. In 2015, the proportion of white rice was 53%; by the end of 2020, the ratio of white rice had decreased to only 32.5% (general data for the first 11 months of 2020).

The structure of rice export categories since 2018 has changed significantly. White rice has decreased to 51% of the total export value of rice, Jasmine rice and fragrant rice of all kinds have increased to 32%, flexible rice of all types accounted for 12%, and round grain rice (Japonica) accounted for about 5%. In particular, low-quality rice accounts for only 2%.

1.2.3. About the structure of the rice export market

Vietnamese rice has been exported to more than 100 countries and territories worldwide in recent years. In terms of market structure, it can be seen that Vietnam's rice is present in nearly 150 countries and territories with various products such as long-grain rice, short-grain rice, fragrant rice, parboiled rice, and organic rice muscle. China has always been Vietnam's largest rice-consuming market, and Vietnam is also the most extensive rice supplier to China (accounting for approximately 50% of China's total rice imports). However,, rice exports to some main markets tended to decrease from 2013 to 2018.