VN looks to export 6 mil. tons of rice a year for 2011-2015

VGP – Việt Nam will focus on five measures to ensure rice quality and strive to sell abroad 6 million tons of rice annually during the 2011-2015 period, according to Việt Nam Food Association (VFA).

September 07, 2011 7:03 AM GMT+7

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The five major measures set by the VFA at its 7th Congress (2011-2015 tenure) held on September 6 in the southern city of Cần Thơ include rice quality improvement through seed selection and establishment of high-quality rice fields, and trademark building.

The VFA will diversify rice products, speed up fragrant rice export and strengthen competitiveness to secure firm niche in traditional markets while expanding shares in new ones.

In addition, the VFA also said it will take measures to stabilize rice prices in support of farmers.

In the first eight months of 2011, Việt Nam shipped 5.3 million tons of rice worth US $2.525 billion, up 11.4% in volume and 23.8% in value against the same period last year.

Rice export is expected to reach 7 million tons in 2011.

In the 1989-2010 period, Việt Nam exported a total of 76.545 million tons of rice, pocketing US $21.462 billion to key markets in Asia, Africa and America./.

By Khánh Phương