Ensuring rice production and exports align with market developments.

Against market fluctuations and rising input costs, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said the government is implementing a coordinated package of measures across the rice value chain—from seed varieties, cultivation, storage, procurement and exports—to stabilize rice production and safeguard the interests of farmers and enterprises.

Inter-ministerial coordination under the Prime Minister’s rice directive

At the Government’s regular press briefing in March 2026 held on 4 April, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien responded to a question from Vietnam Economic Times/VnEconomy on inter-ministerial coordination in implementing the Prime Minister’s Directive on rice production and consumption, particularly ensuring exports and supporting purchases for farmers and businesses under new circumstances.

He noted that in the 13th National Assembly term, Vietnam had 3.85 million hectares of rice land, but now the figure is 3.1 million hectares. In 2025, rice production reached 43.5 million tons. In the first three months of 2026, production was 3.64 million tons, down 5.5%.

Rice supply and demand structure

According to the deputy minister, rice output is allocated as follows: 14 million tons for domestic consumption for over 100 million people and about 20 million tourist visits; about 7–9 million tons for processing; stocks (including in households) of about 3 million tons; livestock feed of about 3.4 million tons; and seeds of about 1 million tons.

He added that last year exports reached 7.9 million tons, earning over USD 4.7 billion.

Science and technology, digital transformation, and emissions reduction

On science and technology, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that although 85–89% of Vietnam’s rice is high quality, export competition requires continued improvement. He said the ministry is pursuing a science and technology program focused on shorter growth duration, faster harvest, and high quality, which has been implemented for many years.

In parallel, a database and digital transformation are being pursued decisively.

Another priority, he said, is developing 1 million hectares of high-quality rice while reducing emissions. He stated that emission reductions will not be limited to 1 million hectares and will be implemented based on practical and scientific foundations across the Southeast, South Central Coast, Northern midland and mountainous region, Red River Delta, and nationwide, moving toward net-zero emissions by 2050 as committed at COP26.

Cost control and input market stabilization

On farming practices, the deputy minister said the ministry applies processes to reduce production costs, prioritizing the use of organic fertilizers and reducing inorganic fertilizers.

Regarding cropping cycles, he said farmers often buy seeds, fertilizers and pesticides at the start of the season, which can push prices up, while harvest and sales occurring at the same time can push prices down. “Therefore, we must stockpile agricultural inputs to regulate the seasonal market,” he said. He added that this approach has worked: in 2024, there were three instances of releasing rice seed reserves.

Technical solutions and local implementation

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said technical solutions include pest control, irrigation systems, and other factors to ensure high quality and efficient farming, along with appropriate pesticides to achieve low costs and competitiveness in exports.

He also said localities have implemented Directive 21 actively. Provinces have linked with enterprises to support procurement, reserves, processing, and value-added processing to bring products to market and build a sustainable rice ecosystem.

Recent performance and trade results

In the last three months, despite complex international pressures, the agriculture sector still grew 3.58%. Rice and rice products production reached 3.64 million tons. Livestock production reached 2.28 million tons of meat, up 4.9%; aquaculture reached 2.7 million tons, up 3.3%; and forestry reached 12 million cubic meters of wood, up over 3%.

Export value reached USD 16.69 billion, up 5.9%, with a trade surplus of USD 4.78 billion, up 12%.