That is the notable content in Directive No. 10/CT-TTg dated March 2, 2024, recently issued by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on promoting sustainable, transparent and effective production, trading and export of rice in the new situation.

The directive stated that in the first months of 2024, the complicated developments in the regional and world rice markets have affected the psychology of a number of businesses and farmers. According to the assessment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and a number of relevant agencies, the rice export situation remains favorable, the demand for rice from countries in the region and the world remains high due to the impact of the El Nino phenomenon and armed conflicts.

But currently, in the Mekong Delta provinces, the winter-spring rice crop is being harvested, but there is a phenomenon that businesses are waiting for rice prices to drop while people want to sell rice at high prices like in the last months of 2023. If this situation continues, it will cause businesses to lose rice export opportunities and affect production and income of rice growers.

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The Prime Minister directed to promote sustainable production, business and export of rice. Photo: Hoang Ha

Therefore, to ensure healthy and transparent rice production, trading and export activities, flexible and timely responses to market fluctuations, and to increase income for rice growers, the Prime Minister requested ministers, heads of ministries, relevant agencies, chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities, Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, leaders of the following corporations: Northern Food Corporation (Vinafod 1), Southern Food Corporation (Vinafood 2) and rice export traders to continue to strictly implement Directive No. 24/CT-TTg dated August 5, 2023 of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister requested the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to direct localities in the Mekong Delta region to organize the winter-spring rice harvest on time, minimizing post-harvest losses; promptly direct the organization of summer-autumn crop production;

The Ministry presides over and coordinates to closely monitor the situation, promptly provide complete and accurate information on developments in the rice market so that people and businesses can have appropriate production and business plans, ensure supply for domestic consumption and export, and stabilize market prices.

At the same time, focus on directing the effective implementation of the Project "Sustainable development of one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030"; Directing the acceleration of the construction and replication of product consumption chain models to ensure the harmony of interests between people and businesses...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is responsible for coordinating with the Minister of Industry and Trade and the Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association to regularly monitor developments in the regional and world rice markets; promote negotiations and remove technical barriers to expand Vietnam's rice export market.

The Prime Minister also assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to study and promote the implementation of agricultural commodity trading floors, including rice trading floors, to ensure publicity and transparency in rice trading. Research to streamline rice export hubs, ensure healthy competition but not too fragmented, business efficiency, and reputation of Vietnamese rice.

In addition, the Ministry is responsible for researching and piloting models to bring "traders" into the rice value chain to both promote their role as a bridge between people and businesses and limit potential risks for parties participating in the value chain.

Vietnamese rice faces fierce competition in traditional markets . The Philippines and Indonesia are both large and traditional markets for Vietnamese rice. However, Thailand is also boosting exports to these markets, making competition increasingly fierce.