Vietnamese agriculture ministry seeks to beef up rice exports amid soaring global prices

The El Nino dry weather, worsening saltwater intrusion, and drought are expected to affect global rice production and exports. The ministry’s proposal to increase rice exports is aimed at cementing Vietnam’s position in the global food supply chain and guaranteeing the global food security amid a series of uncertainties. The ministry also proposed the prime minister issue guidelines on spurring rice exports to the relevant ministries and agencies. The ministry proposed the national government assign the Ministry of Industry and Trade to boost rice exports by predicting global rice exports, imports, consumption, and rice prices. The agriculture ministry also suggested tasking the Vietnam Food Association with seeking foreign rice importers to smooth Vietnamese rice exports.