Vietnam Rice Prices Steady as Jasmine Drops

The stabilization matters because the harvest is moving into its late phase, trimming some supply pressure even as demand remains too weak to push prices higher. OM 5451 and IR 50404 held at 5,800-6,000 dong per kg, suggesting millers are still selective, but not aggressive, in their purchases.

Raw rice prices were firmer than paddy, with OM 5451 at 9,300-9,400 dong per kg and Dai Thom 8 at 9,200-9,400 dong. That gap suggests mills still need certain grades for processing, which could give the white rice segment more support than paddy if export buying improves later in the year.

The clearest market pressure came from the export side. Vietnamese Jasmine rice fell $6 per ton to $526-$530, while Vietnam’s 5% broken fragrant rice stayed at $440-$445 and 100% broken rice edged up $1 to $368-$372. Thai 5% broken rice rose to $477-$481 and India’s to $375-$379, keeping Indian supply a cheaper alternative in lower-grade segments.

For investors and traders, the split price action points to a market that is balanced but fragile: domestic retail rice prices are stable, export pricing is mixed, and buyers are still hesitant. If end-year contracting picks up, raw rice could tighten first, but further softness in Jasmine would likely weigh on premium Vietnamese rice exports and could eventually spill back into paddy prices.