Vietnam rice prices fall as export offers soften

In the Mekong Delta, fresh OM 18 rice fell 200 dong a kilogram to 6,000-6,200 dong, while Dai Thom 8 also dropped 200 dong to 6,100-6,200 dong. OM 5451 and IR 50404 each slid 200 dong to 5,800-6,000 dong, and OM 34 lost 300 dong to 5,600-5,700 dong, according to local agricultural authorities.

Export prices also softened. Vietnam’s 5% broken fragrant rice slipped $5 a tonne to $440-$445, while Jasmine rice eased $2 to $532-$536 a tonne, the Vietnam Food Association said. White 5% broken rice held at $424-$428 a tonne, suggesting buyers remain selective even as benchmark offers cool.

The move comes as rice markets remain tight globally but uneven. Thai white rice 5% broken was quoted at $476-$480 a tonne, down $2, while Pakistan’s and India’s export prices rose, reflecting stronger demand and supply constraints in some origins. Industry sources cited firm overseas buying and weather-related supply issues in India as reasons prices there remain elevated.

For investors, the key issue is whether Vietnam can defend volume without giving up too much price. Weakening local paddy values can hit farmer income and production incentives, while lower export quotes can support shipment volumes but weigh on margins for traders and exporters if the decline persists.

Traders are watching the next harvest and whether global demand cools after a period of stock-building. Any further slide in Vietnamese rice prices will depend on how quickly new-crop supply reaches the market, how much competing exporters keep raising prices, and whether importers continue to chase cover before year-end.