Volume of rice exports from Vietnam 2021, by grade

As of October 2021, jasmine rice was the leading exported rice grade in Vietnam, amounting to approximately 1.9 million metric tons. Rice under white rice 5% category placed second with under 1.8 million metric tons of rice exports in the same period.

Vietnam among global leaders for rice exports

Rice is crucial to Vietnam’s national food security and an important crop for export. Since 1989, the country has been a net exporter of rice. As of 2022, Vietnam has grown to be the second leading rice exporter in the world. The main importers of Vietnamese rice in the same year were the Philippines, China, and Ghana.

Rice consumption in Vietnam

On top of being a leading rice exporter and producer, Vietnamese are among the world’s largest consumers of rice. While plain white rice is integral to the daily meals in Vietnam, there are plenty of rice-based dishes that are unique to each region across the country. In Vietnam, rice is used in both sweet and savory dishes, including noodles and bánh – loosely translated as “pancakes” which encompass a variety of bread, cakes, pies, and crepes of different styles and flavors. Despite a gradual decline in rice consumption in Vietnam, rice remains not just a staple food but a symbol of Vietnamese cuisine.