Top Rice News: Vietnam Exports Rise, Senegal Subsidizes Farmers

Vietnam Exports 1.3M Tons of Rice in Jan-Feb 2026 Amid Falling Prices

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam is exporting 1.3 million tons of rice in the two months. Some 1.3 million tons of rice from Vietnam have been exported in the first two months of 2026, valued at $ 599.3 million. Notably, the export increased by 5% year on year in volume; however, it decreased by 11.2 % in value. Nearly 640,000 tons of rice were exported in February alone, worth $289.4 million. Additionally, the average export price during the two months was estimated at $464.1 per ton, fall 15.4 % compared to the same period last year. Interestingly, the Philippines remained Vietnam’s largest rice market, accounting for 47.6 % of the total exports. China and Ghana followed with shares of 18.3% and 8.9%, respectively.

Senegal Moves To Support Rice Farmers Amid Rising Imports To Safeguard Local Rice Sector

As per recent updates, the government of Senegal has rolled out a support package for rice producers, introducing a subsidy of CFA50(US$0.09) per Kg on purchases of locally produced rice effective 5 March 2026, a policy designed to make domestic paddy and milled rice more competitive with imported varieties and to boost market linkages for local farmers. The measure was announced by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and stated that it will be implemented through public procurement and commercial distribution channels to encourage wholesalers and retailers to source more from national producers. Interestingly, the move emerges amid persistently high rice import volumes: Senegal imported nearly 1.6 million tonnes of rice in 2024/2025, and the USDA projects imports of roughly 1.7 million tonnes for 2025/2026, figures the government cites to justify urgent action to rebalance domestic supply and demand.

Indonesia Says Food Supply Secure Despite Iran War Tensions, President Prabowo Asserts

President Prabowo Subianto recently asserted that the public should not be concerned about the national food stock amidst escalations to the Middle East Conflict. He spoke at a bridge launching event and highlighted the significance for countries to maintain their food security as global disruptions on supplies loom. Interestingly, Indonesia has already reached self-sufficiency in rice production. Notably, rice is a staple food for Indonesians. The President mentioned that the country did not import any rice throughout last year. He said: Many countries will struggle, but at least, we are safe when it comes to food. Wars are everywhere. When fuel prices skyrocket, this can affect food prices. We are grateful that we are nearing self-sufficiency in food.

Oil prices at the time broke $ 100 a barrel, a first since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Apart from Rice, the President claimed that the country was on track to be meet its protein needs on its own. Moreover, State Logistics Agency (Bulog) reported that government rice reserves totalled 3.74 million tons as of March 9.