The rice has become more popular for several reasons,including clear labels of origin and production that follows organicstandards or national and international standards like VietGap andGlobalGap.
Ho Chi Minh City resident Pham Phuong Hong is one ofmany local residents who buy organic rice as well as fruit, vegetables,fish, meat at an organic food shop in District 3.
She says she prefers the rice because the labels show where and when the rice was planted and the date of harvest.
Companiesare investing more in organic rice and vegetables, including the CaMau-based Vien Phu Organic and Healthy Foods Joint Stock Corporation,which has received organic production certificates granted by the US andEU.
Vo Minh Khai, General Director of Vien Phu, said the companyinitially planned to export its organic rice to high-end markets butlocal demand had now surpassed export orders.
Co May Co Ltd in Dong Thap province has also been selling three kinds of rice under the Nosavina brand.
Thereis a QR (quick response) code on each of the rice packages that tracksthe product's origin, said Nham Ba Phuong, co-founder of Nosavina brandrice.
Consumers are concerned about quality, he said, but they are paying as much or more attention to the safety of the rice.
Forthat reason, the company invested 5 million USD to establish its ricematerial area and processing plant that meets HACCP standards, aninternationally recognised method of managing food safety and protectingconsumers, he said.
Along with organic rice, rice that containshigh nutrients and other ingredients that can assist medical treatmentis sold on the market.
Apart from white organic rice, Vien Phusupplies red, purple and black rice, Khai said, noting that this ricehas higher nutrients and minerals than normal rice. The prices rangefrom 45,000-75,000 VND (2.1-3.5 USD) per kilo.
Similarly, AnGiang Plant Protection Joint Stock Company has introduced to the marketVibigaba sprouted rice, which can help stabilise blood glucose levels ofdiabetics.-VNA