Trade Ministry proposes lifting rice export quota

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and relevant ministries and agencies have agreed to propose the Prime Minister abolish a quota mechanism for rice exports as from May 1.

The Prime Minister will consider the trade ministry's proposal to abolish the quota mechanism for rice exports as from May 1

Under the current quota, businesses are only allowed to export 400,000 tonnes of rice in April to ensure national food security amid the complex nature of the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic in the world.

Making the proposal, the MoIT explained that Vietnam can still export rice while at the same time guaranteeing national food security thanks to the recent bumper winter-spring rice harvest in the Mekeng Delta – the country’s rice granary, as well as positive signs from the similar crop in the northern and north-central regions.   

It predicted Vietnam could export approximately 3.2 million tonnes of rice this year, including 1.3 million tonnes from May till mid-June when the summer-autumn crop harvest is in full swing.

According to the ministry, the export of rice will only be conducted through international border gates by road, rail, waterway, sea and air.

The General Department of Vietnam Customs reported that as of 04.00pm on April 27, businesses had exported 223,000 out of a total of 400,000 tonnes under the quota set for April.