• Farmers expect rice prices to continue rising.
  • Rice prices plummet, farmers restless

Rice prices have plummeted, raising the risk of losses.

In the fields of Da Bac commune, the rice has ripened to a golden yellow, but the joy of the harvest season is not complete. The price of many types of rice is currently below 5,000 VND/kg.

Rice prices have plummeted, leaving farmers worried about losses.

According to farmers, ST24 and ST25 rice varieties are currently being purchased by traders at prices ranging from 6,000 to 6,800 VND/kg, a decrease of 2,000 to 3,000 VND/kg compared to the beginning of the season; HB1 variety is only fetching 4,000 to 5,500 VND/kg.

According to Mr. Nguyen Viet Khanh's family (Da Bac B hamlet, Da Bac commune), who planted 10 acres of HB1 rice, the price has dropped by another 500-1,000 VND/kg in just one week, more than 4,000 VND/kg lower than the same period last year.

“Traders say they are limiting their rice purchases because exports are slow. When it comes time to harvest, we have to accept a further 200 dong/kg drop. At the current price, only those who are very frugal will make a profit, and those who rent land will definitely lose money,” Khánh shared.

The worry intensifies when the rice is ready for harvest but difficult to sell. Ms. Nguyen Thi My Nhan (Da Bac B hamlet) said that her entire family depends on their 4 acres of rice, but after days of searching for buyers, they still haven't found anyone.

"The new school year has started, but the rice hasn't been sold yet, everyone is very sad," Ms. Nhan confided.

It's difficult to find traders after the rice import ban.

Rice farmers in Ca Mau are increasingly worried as finding buyers becomes more difficult following the temporary suspension of rice imports under Presidential Decree No. 93 of the Philippines. Many households have harvested their rice but cannot sell it, even though they had previously contacted and received promises from buyers.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Dua (Da Bac B hamlet, Da Bac commune) shared that he has been sleepless for many days due to worry: “Hearing the news that the Philippines has stopped importing rice, I am very worried. The rice crop was flooded by the rain, and the quality has decreased. Previously, traders agreed to buy at 4,500 VND/kg, but when it came time to harvest, they rejected the offer and refused to buy it.”

The rice has been harvested, but we haven't found buyers yet.

Meanwhile, the rising costs of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and harvesting machines are making the burden of end-of-season payments even heavier. Nguyen Van Tuot, from the same hamlet, said that this summer-autumn harvest yielded 81 bags of rice, but even selling it all wasn't enough to cover his debts: fertilizer, pesticides, seeds, and land rent.

According to statistics, in the 2025 summer-autumn crop season, Da Bac commune sowed over 9,400 hectares, and so far over 6,500 hectares have been harvested. However, the harvested yield over the past 10 days has faced many difficulties in consumption, especially after the Philippines temporarily suspended rice imports.

Mr. Nguyen Canh Hanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Bac commune, said: "Currently, farmers are selling their rice slowly and at low prices. There are cases where traders and rice brokers place deposits but then abandon the purchase. The commune has summoned these individuals for questioning to rectify the situation. At the same time, the People's Committee of the commune has requested the Department of Agriculture and Environment to assist in finding markets for the farmers as soon as possible."

In reality, many farmers are being forced to sell off their rice at very low prices, partly due to concerns about finding buyers when the Philippines stops importing, and partly due to pressure to pay for investment costs and prepare for the new crop.

From September 1st to October 30th, 2025, the Philippines temporarily suspended imports of milled rice under Decree No. 93. In light of this situation, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau province instructed the Department of Industry and Trade to coordinate with relevant units to urgently inform cooperatives, producers, and traders to proactively plan their production and business activities; provide guidance on harvesting, preserving, and selling rice appropriately; support connections with traders; prioritize domestic consumption, export to other markets, or temporary storage to avoid selling off at low prices.

Hong Nghi - Minh Luan

Source: https://baocamau.vn/gia-lua-ca-mau-lao-doc-sau-khi-philippines-ngung-nhap-khau-a122123.html