Fuel prices adjust, but many services do not decline in tandem

Market conditions for rice consumption remain slow as enterprises face capital constraints and rising fuel and material costs are squeezing farmers’ profits. On April 15, 2026, the Can Tho City People’s Committee held a meeting with rice-buying and exporting companies to implement measures aimed at boosting consumption as fuel prices continue to fluctuate.

Peak harvest in Can Tho

According to Mr. Hứa Trường Sơn, Deputy Director of the Can Tho Department of Industry and Trade, the winter-spring crop 2025–2026—the main production season—is entering its peak harvest. The total harvested and currently being harvested area in Can Tho is about 94,450 hectares, with expected production of about 650,000 tons.

Price declines and slower procurement

Despite the harvest peak, the market is facing multiple difficulties. Rice prices have generally fallen, ranging from 4,900 to 7,750 dong per kilogram, which reduces farmers’ profits and affects production sentiment. At the same time, enterprise demand for purchases remains limited, and procurement is proceeding more slowly than the harvest progress.

Mr. Sơn said that some enterprises, due to funding constraints, want to purchase all paddy from farmers but require capital to guarantee stock, milling, and export capacity—leading to delays.

Rising costs for fuel and agricultural inputs

Production costs are also increasing. Feedback from enterprises and farmers indicates that fuel-related costs rose by about 10–20%. While fuel prices have undergone six adjustments in line with global energy movements (with some increases and some decreases), related services have not declined accordingly. When fuel prices rise, prices increase, but when fuel prices fall, they do not adjust downward.

In addition, input costs for agricultural materials are rising by 15%–30%. Although rice prices have generally trended downward, input costs continue to increase, adding pressure on producers.

Proposed measures to support consumption and lending

Vice Chairman of the Can Tho City People’s Committee, Mr. Vuong Quoc Nam, urged the agricultural sector to strengthen linkages in production by forming large-scale raw-material zones connected to processing plants and export facilities. He also called for procurement at prices that do not cause farmers to incur losses.

Mr. Nam further requested that the State Bank instruct credit institutions to expand lending for rice exports. Can Tho City is expected to encourage businesses to restructure their financial capacity and technology, strengthen ties with cooperatives and farmers, and develop production plans linked to concrete credit solutions to support sustainable development.