Vietnam cuts rice exports by 6.1% as global demand weakens

Vietnam exported 6.4 mln tons of rice worth $3.11 bln in January–September 2026. Compared with the same period last year, shipments fell by 6.1% in volume and by 10.9% in value amid weaker global demand and lower export prices.

The average export price of Vietnamese rice over the nine-month period was $484.8/t, down 5.1% y/y. As of October 1, 5% broken rice was offered at $420–430/t, compared with around $430/t a week earlier.

The Philippines remained Vietnam’s largest buyer, accounting for 40.9% of total exports. China ranked second with a 17.4% share, followed by Ghana with 12.7%. Export value to the Philippines fell by 16.8% y/y, while shipments to Ghana declined by 1.1%.

At the same time, demand in some markets increased sharply. The value of rice exports to China rose by 76%, while shipments to Iraq increased nearly 99-fold, the strongest growth among Vietnam’s 15 largest export markets. Côte d’Ivoire recorded the steepest decline at 52.8%.

Domestic rice prices in the Mekong Delta remained mostly stable. Traders said overseas demand continued to be weak despite limited domestic supply, keeping export prices under pressure.

Tags: export, rice, Vietnam