Industry and Trade News 5/22: Vietnam's leading retail chain accelerates coverage in rural areas

Import and export sector

Today, May 22, the Capital Security Newspaper published the information: " Export rice prices have dropped sharply."

Vietnam's rice export price has decreased by 19.8% compared to the same period in 2024. Therefore, although the volume of rice exported has increased, the value of this item has decreased.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade , rice export activities in the first 4 months of 2025 continued to achieve some positive results. Rice export turnover reached over 3.43 million tons, equivalent to nearly 1.77 billion USD. Compared to the same period in 2024, rice export increased by 8.1% in volume but decreased by 13.3% in value. The average price reached 515 USD/ton, down 19.8% compared to the same period in 2024.

On May 21, most of Vietnam's rice exports were priced lower than Thai rice. Vietnam's 5% broken rice was priced at $397 per ton, $6 per ton lower than Thai rice; 25% broken rice was $10 per ton lower and 100% broken rice was also $9 per ton lower. From having the highest export rice price in the world for many months, Vietnam's rice exports have dropped sharply in the first months of this year.

Currently, the export prices of Vietnamese rice are higher than those of Indian and Pakistani rice but lower than those of Thai rice. According to some businesses, export rice prices have entered a strong adjustment cycle since the end of last year, due to the sharp increase in global rice supply after India lifted its export ban. The country's continued push to increase exports to reduce inventories is believed to be the reason why global rice prices will remain low in the coming time. This is a challenge for Vietnamese businesses in gaining market share and maintaining profits.

Gia Lai Newspaper reported: "Vietnam imported more than 1 million tons of cashew nuts in the first 4 months of 2025".

According to statistics from the Customs Department, in April 2025, Vietnam imported 480 thousand tons of cashew nuts, worth more than 732 million USD. In the first 4 months of 2025, Vietnam imported 1.04 million tons of cashew nuts, worth more than 1.6 billion USD (up 10% in volume and 39.8% in value compared to the same period in 2024).

Experts say that the reason for the continuous increase in cashew nut prices in the world in recent times is because the supply cannot meet the demand when the area planted with this crop is decreasing sharply. However, since the beginning of 2025, Vietnam has continued to increase cashew nut imports to maintain its position as the world's No. 1 cashew nut processing and exporting country. In 2025, the Vietnam Cashew Association (VINACAS) aims to export cashew nuts worth 4.5 billion USD (130 million USD higher than in 2024).

Energy sector

Nhan Dan Newspaper published the news: "Promoting the construction of the first biomass power plant in Lao Cai".

The delegation of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee worked with Mr. Yasushi Saito - CEO of Erex Japan Joint Stock Company and Mr. Hagiya Munetaka - General Director of Erex Yen Bai Biomass Power Company Limited. At the meeting, the two sides exchanged experiences in investing, constructing, operating and developing biomass power projects with Erex Japan Joint Stock Company to learn advanced technology, effective business models and coordination mechanisms between investors and local authorities, thereby promoting the development of renewable energy in Lao Cai province.

In Lao Cai province, the Bao Thang Biomass Power Plant Project with a capacity of 50MW has been included in the national power development plan for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050 according to Decision No. 768/QD-TTg dated April 15, 2025. Lao Cai province has approved the land use planning, project location arrangement, and cleared the site, ready for construction. Lao Cai province and Erex Japan Joint Stock Company agreed to soon survey the raw material area, assigning the Department of Industry and Trade, the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the People's Committees of some districts to coordinate in implementing this work.

News site vneconomy.vn reported: "Speeding up site clearance for important power transmission projects"

On May 21, 2025, in Hanoi, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long, Standing Member of the State Steering Committee for important national programs, works and projects, key to the energy sector, chaired two important online meetings on the progress of the Lao Cai - Vinh Yen 500 kV transmission line project and on the power grid system to release capacity of Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4 Thermal Power Plants.

The Deputy Minister requested the People's Committees of the provinces to mobilize the entire political system, directly instruct districts and communes to urgently complete necessary procedures, mobilize people to harvest crops in the corridor of the route and create all conditions for EVN to deploy construction and pull power lines in time in May 2025.

Regarding Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long directed to increase human resources, equipment and take full advantage of the current favorable weather conditions to speed up construction, especially at locations where the foundation has been completed. At the same time, EVN needs to closely monitor the progress of steel pole supply and coordinate closely with localities to promote public support for the Project.

Domestic market sector

Investment Newspaper published the article: " Separating segments, small packaging: Solution to stimulate domestic demand for durian in difficult season".

After a bumper 2024 with durian exports to China reaching a record 3.2 billion USD, the industry entered 2025 with many new expectations. However, in the first 4 months of the year, Vietnam's durian export turnover only reached about 130 million USD, down 74% compared to the same period last year.

The main cause was identified as the slowdown in imports from China, the largest consumer market for Vietnamese durian. Along with that, the congestion at border gates continued to last due to many obstacles in quarantine and customs clearance, leading to a series of consequences for farmers and businesses.

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said: " We must diversify our products and not just sell whole fruits. Segmenting, packaging in small packages of 1-2 segments/box, vacuuming or drying will help make the price more affordable and easier to consume" . In fact, domestic consumers still have a great demand for durian, but are often hesitant to buy whole fruits at prices ranging from 200,000 - 500,000 VND/fruit. Segmenting and packaging in small packages helps solve the economic problem and the user experience: easy to buy, easy to eat, easy to preserve. Moreover, the professional packaging process also helps to eliminate damaged and unripe segments. On the packaging, it is necessary to clearly state the packaging date, processing facility, origin of the growing area, expiration date and listed price... to help increase the confidence of domestic consumers.

The Lao Dong newspaper published the information: "Vietnam's leading retail chain accelerates coverage in rural areas".

In recent years, Vietnam’s rural areas, which account for more than 60% of the population, have witnessed a strong transformation due to urbanization and changing consumer habits. The development of transport infrastructure and the popularity of e-commerce have encouraged rural people to prioritize high-quality products and convenient services, instead of just shopping at traditional markets. Masan’s retail chain - WinCommerce (WCM) has identified this opportunity, choosing rural areas as the focus of its expansion strategy to bring modern retail closer to 60 million consumers.

Customers shopping at WinMart supermarket

As of the end of April 2025, WCM operated 4,035 stores, of which 1,500 Rural WinMart+ stores accounted for nearly 40% of the network. In April, WCM opened 68 new stores, including 46 Rural WinMart+ stores, maintaining an average speed of 2 stores per day. This result brought WCM closer to the target of 1,900 Rural WinMart+ stores, completing nearly 80% of the yearly plan.

According to information from the enterprise, the same-store (LFL) revenue growth of the rural model reached 15% in April, following the 15.6% in the first quarter. This success comes from the optimal store model, focusing on essential products and reasonable prices, meeting the increasing needs of rural consumers.

Industry and Trade Newspaper

Source: https://congthuong.vn/tin-cong-thuong-225-chuoi-ban-le-hang-dau-viet-nam-tang-toc-phu-song-khu-vuc-nong-thon-388843.html