Viet Nam exported 200,000 more tons of rice early this month, raising the total volume to 4.5 illion tons and hitting the country’s 2007 rice export target, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported yesterday.

Viet Nam to export more rice than targeted this year The country has earned nearly US$1.5 billion in rice exports.

The ministry said over 10 million tons of rice were harvested in the summer-autumn crop, an increase of 430,000 tons over last year.

Farmers in the north also finished the summer-autumn harvest with almost nine million tons, a year-on-year increase of 45,000 tons.

As such, the year’s yield has already reached 35.9 million tons, equivalent to all of last year’s.

With such a high yield, Viet Nam can export over 4.5 million tons of rice this year, the ministry said.

The ministry added that 2007 was a favourable year for exports of farm produce, including rice. Export prices for Vietnamese rice have risen to be on a par with those of rice from Thailand.

The achievements were attributed to the agricultural sector’s efforts in improving products’ quality in addition to favourable changes in the world market.

Besides, The Viet Nam Food Association (VFA) forecast that rice exports could reach 4.8 million tonnes in 2008, while the world’s rice price would remain high.

Viet Nam has shipped rice to over 70 countries and territories, including the EU, Japan and the US. 

(Source: VNA & SGGP)