Rice exports in the first quarter of 2015 is estimated at 900,000tonnes, a significant annual decrease, according to the Vietnam FoodAssociation Secretary Huynh Minh Hue.
Inprevious years the figure for the same period was normally 1.2-1.4million tonnes, he said, adding that this year setback is attributableto the reduction of foreign orders at the end of 2014.
He also underscored a ripple effect may take place throughout the year, following the drop at the beginning of the year.
China has been one of Vietnam’s traditional markets but is nowdividing its demand among a number of rice exporters such as Thailandand Myanmar. China has also been tightening cross-border imports,leading to a number of difficulties for Vietnam.
In 2014, Vietnam lost 60 percent of the African market share, itsbiggest rice importer, due to price competition from Thailand. Thisyear, as prices dip below those of Thailand, Vietnam has a good chanceof market recovery.
Notably, the Ivory Coast andGhana increased their rice import from Vietnam in January, accountingfor more than 31 percent of Vietnam’s total rice shipments abroad in themonth.-VNA
Inprevious years the figure for the same period was normally 1.2-1.4million tonnes, he said, adding that this year setback is attributableto the reduction of foreign orders at the end of 2014.
He also underscored a ripple effect may take place throughout the year, following the drop at the beginning of the year.
China has been one of Vietnam’s traditional markets but is nowdividing its demand among a number of rice exporters such as Thailandand Myanmar. China has also been tightening cross-border imports,leading to a number of difficulties for Vietnam.
In 2014, Vietnam lost 60 percent of the African market share, itsbiggest rice importer, due to price competition from Thailand. Thisyear, as prices dip below those of Thailand, Vietnam has a good chanceof market recovery.
Notably, the Ivory Coast andGhana increased their rice import from Vietnam in January, accountingfor more than 31 percent of Vietnam’s total rice shipments abroad in themonth.-VNA
