Pressure is mounting on the rice industry.

Due to the impact of various factors, rice prices in the winter-spring crop fell sharply towards the end of the season. Meanwhile, the sluggish rice export situation has directly affected farmers' profits.

RICE PRICES FALL, FARMERS FACE DIFFICULTIES

At this time, farmers in the Go Cong freshwater area are busy harvesting the winter-spring rice crop, but the atmosphere is gloomy due to low rice prices.

This year's winter-spring crop saw Mr. Pham Xuan Quang's family (Nghia Chi hamlet, Tan Hoa commune, Dong Thap province) cultivate 7 acres of Nang Hoa 9 rice (including 3 acres of rented land). Mr. Quang harvested 6.7 tons of rice, selling it at 6,400 VND/kg.

Farmers in Tan Phuoc 2 commune are harvesting their winter-spring rice crop.

“The other day, I bought rice at 6,800 VND/kg, but due to market prices, I had to sell it for about 400 VND/kg less. At this price, my family makes nearly 3 million VND profit per hectare of our own rice field, and less on rented land (not including our labor). Low rice prices coupled with high input costs mean we don't make much profit,” Quang shared.

Meanwhile, in Long Binh commune, Dong Thap province, this winter-spring season, Mr. Nguyen Van Tam's family (Hoa Thanh hamlet) sowed Nang Hoa 9 rice variety on 5 acres of land.

Rice is being purchased by traders at 6,200 VND/kg. Mr. Tam expressed: "This harvest was bountiful, but the price is too low. At the beginning of the season, people here were selling Nang Hoa 9 rice at 6,800 VND/kg, but now it has dropped by about 600 VND/kg."

The increase in gasoline and diesel prices has raised the cost of renting combine harvesters by 300,000 VND/hectare, and the cost of labor for loading and unloading has also gone up. Therefore, my family didn't make much profit from this rice crop. Farmers will only be happy if the price of rice reaches 7,000 VND/kg or higher.”

Meanwhile, in the western localities of the province, farmers are also urgently harvesting the winter-spring rice crop to prepare for replanting the summer-autumn crop.

Ms. Tran My Loan's family (Tan Hung Tay hamlet, Tan Phuoc 2 commune) cultivates 1 hectare of rice. This winter-spring season, her family sowed the OM 18 rice variety. The rice was purchased by traders at a price of 5,800 VND/kg.

Ms. Loan shared: “Compared to the beginning of the season, the price of OM 18 rice has decreased by about 5,800 VND/kg. This season, my rice field achieved a yield of more than 9 tons/ha.”

However, because rice prices are too low and input costs are rising, profits are low. After deducting labor costs, there's hardly any profit left. Farmers now only hope for higher rice prices so they can feel secure in continuing to farm."

RICE EXPORTING COMPANIES FACE SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE

Along with persistently low rice prices, rice exports are also slow and prices are not high. The difficult export market has led to a large surplus of rice at businesses, putting significant pressure on the industry.

Despite a good harvest, Mr. Pham Xuan Quang is unhappy because he had to sell his rice at a low price.

Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Kieu, owner of Dung Kieu Rice Trading Establishment (My Duc Tay commune, Dong Thap province), said that the rice industry has been very unstable from last year until now.

Currently, the facility still has over 100 tons of rice remaining from last year's winter-spring crop. At this time, the factory is only operating at a reduced capacity due to numerous difficulties. "Right now, the biggest difficulty for businesses is financial issues."

The bank provides loans, but requires repayment every six months. Recently, I temporarily stored several thousand tons of rice. Even without profit, I had to sell it to pay off the loan before I could borrow again.

"Rice sales are difficult. Many large businesses can't export, so they've switched to retail. Meanwhile, their machinery is modern, their rice is shiny and beautiful, while we are a small factory and can't compete. Currently, we still have to buy paddy and sell it sparingly to maintain jobs for our workers," Ms. Kieu shared.

In fact, rice businesses in Dong Thap province are also facing pressure from rising gasoline and diesel prices.

Viet Hung Co., Ltd. (Hoi Cu commune, Dong Thap province) is one of the leading rice exporting enterprises in the Mekong Delta region.

The company also faced many difficulties as rising gasoline and oil prices increased logistics costs, and customers reduced their purchases. Since the beginning of the year, the company has only exported nearly 20,000 tons of rice at a lower price than the same period last year.

Mr. Nguyen Van Don, Chairman of the Board of Members of Viet Hung Co., Ltd., said: “Currently, we still export to traditional markets such as China, Hong Kong, and Africa. However, due to excessively high logistics costs, customers are buying more slowly than before. The price of rice is also lower than last year. In 2026, we expect to export about 150,000 tons, achieving a value of 80-90 million USD.”

Sharing the same difficulties as many businesses in the industry, Mr. Vo Huu Trung, Director of Trung An Co., Ltd. (My Thanh commune, Dong Thap province), said: “Currently, businesses are facing many difficulties and are only operating at a reduced capacity. The reasons are high bank interest rates and rising gasoline and diesel prices, which greatly affect costs. We propose that the State stabilize gasoline and diesel prices to create favorable conditions for businesses to operate. At the same time, we request a policy to support interest rates on loans for businesses in the rice industry.”

STRENGTHEN SUPPORT

To enhance the quality of the province's rice products, especially during the winter-spring crop season, the Department of Industry and Trade of Dong Thap province has implemented a comprehensive set of solutions to increase added value and expand export markets.

Rice exporting businesses are striving to overcome difficulties.

Accordingly, the Department of Industry and Trade has advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue and implement plans on international integration and trade promotion for 2026.

This facilitates and supports businesses in improving their production capacity and gradually participating more deeply in the global supply chain. In addition, the industry regularly updates and provides information on tariffs, trade barriers, and technical standards of each market, helping businesses effectively utilize free trade agreements to diversify export markets, especially potential markets and markets with high demands.

Trade promotion efforts have been intensified through supporting businesses to participate in national trade promotion programs targeting key industries and markets; focusing on the province's key products with competitive advantages, such as rice.

According to Dang Van Tuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Dong Thap province: “The Department has coordinated with the Department of Agriculture and Environment to guide farmers, cooperatives and businesses in implementing traceability and production according to VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards.”

At the same time, we connect with quality inspection and assessment units to ensure that products meet the import requirements of demanding markets.

In addition, the sectors also support businesses in applying digital technology in brand building and promoting exports through cross-border e-commerce; introducing products on major e-commerce platforms to find more partners and expand markets…”.

In the coming period, the Department of Industry and Trade will build and develop the province's rice brand.

Specifically, the focus is on supporting businesses in building brands, registering collective trademarks and geographical indications, and developing specialty rice products, commercially packaged rice, and nutritional rice to serve the mid- and high-end segments. This will enhance the added value and position of the province's rice in the international market.

Comrade Dang Van Tuan added: "The Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to promote cross-border e-commerce; deploy online trade fair and exhibition platforms, and support businesses in introducing products and finding international partners."

This aims to expand the consumer market and enhance the competitiveness of the province's rice products.

One of the key aspects is encouraging businesses to invest in modern processing machinery and technology, as well as post-harvest drying and preservation systems, in order to reduce losses and improve product quality.

At the same time, we will gradually develop a large-scale rice storage and logistics system, helping to improve storage capacity and regulate the market…”.

ANH THU - NHAT KHANH

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/ap-luc-bua-vay-nganh-lua-gao-a238642.html