That is the confirmed information from Mr. Nguyen Nhu Cuong, Director of the Department of Crop Production (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held on the afternoon of August 1, in Hanoi, regarding the issue of Vietnam's rice export in the coming time.
Mr. Nguyen Nhu Cuong affirmed that Vietnam needs to take advantage of the opportunity to increase rice exports while still ensuring domestic food security.
According to the latest report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development updated to the end of July, rice exports in the first 7 months of the year reached 4.84 million tons with a value of 2.58 billion USD, an increase of 29.6% over the same period in 2022. In recent days, rice prices have increased very high, this is a good sign but we still need to be vigilant. High rice prices have pushed up rice prices in the Mekong Delta. Specifically, the price of IR50404 rice increased to 6,500 VND/kg; OM 5451 rice increased to 6,800 VND/kg; fragrant rice increased to 6,950 VND/kg.
Mr. Nguyen Nhu Cuong said that the recent increase in world rice prices is an opportunity for Vietnam to boost rice exports. It is necessary to take advantage of this opportunity to increase income for rice farmers. If we do not take advantage of it, we will miss this opportunity.
According to Mr. Cuong, this year's plan is for the whole country to cultivate 7.1 million hectares, with an expected output of over 43 million tons of rice. This target is completely achievable as according to current calculations, rice output could reach 43.1 - 43.2 million tons, and there are even higher scenarios.
To take advantage of and seize the opportunity to export rice, the Department of Crop Production has arranged to increase the rice growing area in the autumn-winter crop in the Mekong Delta to 700,000 hectares, while the plan from the beginning of the year was about 650,000 hectares.
Mr. Cuong also emphasized that in 2022, Vietnam will have a rice output of over 42 million tons, and will export 7.13 million tons of rice. This year, it is expected to produce over 43 million tons of rice (some scenarios even more), so of course it is possible to export rice beyond the record of 2022. It is expected that this year, Vietnam will export over 7 million tons of rice. Currently, businesses are promoting rice exports, but this will not affect domestic food security.
"When we balance the rice consumption needs for 100 million people, the amount of rice used in processing, animal feed production, reserves... is proactively increased to a very high rate. For example, statistics show that on average, each Vietnamese person consumes about 7.5 kg per month, but when calculated, it has increased to 9 kg/month. In addition, the rice growing area this year is more than 1 million hectares, so we can export up to 8 million tons of rice, or even more, without affecting the rice supply for domestic demand, ensuring food security," Mr. Cuong affirmed.
According to Mr. Cuong, to take advantage of the opportunity to export rice in the current context, on July 31, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development submitted to the Prime Minister a directive on increasing rice exports.
"When this directive is issued, ministries, branches and localities will focus on synchronizing technical, administrative and legal solutions to support businesses and farmers. This is the best support, removing difficulties to increase Vietnam's rice export volume," said Mr. Cuong.
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