Ensuring food security in any context

Caution needed

In the first seven months of 2023, Vietnam exported an estimated 4.83 million tonnes of rice worth US$2.58 billion, up 18.7 percent in volume and 29.6 percent in value compared with the same period last year. Major export products included fragrant rice, glutinous rice, and high-grade white rice. Exports to most markets, especially to Southeast Asian countries, increased at relatively high rates. Exports to the EU market also soared by nearly 30 percent.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien addresses the recent conference on rice export management in Can Tho City - photo: Phuong Thao

At a recent conference on rice export management, held in Can Tho City, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that it’s time to promote rice production and export for the highest benefit of farmers and traders. In his opinion, Vietnam should take this opportunity to expand export markets and strengthen the global position of Vietnamese rice, especially in new markets.

However, along with boosting rice exports, Vietnam should ensure national food security in any context. It is necessary to set up appropriate mechanisms to maintain tight cooperation between farmers and traders as well as the linkage among rice traders to ensure stable supply and prevent unhealthy competition.

Maintaining minimum reserve for circulation

Minister Dien proposed that the Vietnam Northern Food Corporation and the Vietnam Southern Food Corporation maintain rice reserves and purchases according to State regulations to ensure national food security in any context.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has assigned its Domestic Markets Department, Agency of Foreign Trade and other relevant units to monitor the implementation of this political task to ensure stable supply and prices in the domestic market, as well as to control export prices.

For their part, rice exporters are required to maintain minimum reserves for circulation and report periodically and contingently to relevant authorities. They should seriously implement signed contracts, harmonize interests in the linkage between farmers and exporters, build and promote rice brands, negotiate the signing of new contracts with traditional partners, keep a close watch on changes in the global rice market and learn carefully about new partners before signing contracts. Rice exporters should take the initiative in cooperating with farmers to ensure stable supply and product quality.

Minister Dien proposed that the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) tighten its coordination with relevant units of the MoIT and other ministries and sectors in order to provide member companies with updated information about market supply and demand as well as new policies and regulations of foreign countries. He asked the VFA to contribute its opinion to amending Government Decree 107/2018/ND-CP on rice exports, which is aimed at enhancing the State’s role in controlling the quality of rice for domestic sale and export. The State can also apply suitable policies for price regulation purposes.