Over 160 merchants eligible to export rice

The rice warehouse of the Duong Vu Co. Ltd in Thu Thua district, Long An province (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – As many as161 merchants had been granted certificates of eligibility for exporting rice as ofJanuary 22, decreasing from mid-2023, reported the Agency of Foreign Tradeunder the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

Ho Chi Minh City has the largestnumber, 36, one fewer than the list released lastOctober. It is followed by Can Tho city with 34, Long An province 22, Dong Thapprovince 15, and An Giang 14.

Some provinces have only onecertified merchant, including Ha Nam, Hau Giang, Khanh Hoa, Lang Son, and ThanhHoa.

The number of traders eligible forrice export in the latest list decreased considerably compared to the August2023 list that comprised 210, which later fell to 170 in October last year,statistics show.

TheForeign Trade Agency said that in 2023, the MoIT played a good advisory role inthe governance of rice export, helping gain positive export results, ensurehigh prices for farmers, and guarantee food security.

Last year, Vietnam shipped more than8.1 million tonnes of the grain worth nearly 4.7 billion USD abroad amidcomplex developments in global rice trading, including many countries’restrictions of rice export.

Expertsforecast export prices will continue rising in 2024 due to smaller supply asa result of India’s ongoing export restrictions and growing import demand ofmany countries like Indonesia and the Philippines.

For 2024, Vietnam looks to maintain thecultivation area at 7.1 million ha, produce over 43 million tonnes of unhusked and export more than 8 million tonnes of husked rice./.

VNA