Top Rice News: Vietnam Rice Prices Fall, Thailand Faces Rising Costs, Bangladesh Distributes Rice Before Eid

Today’s Top Rice News includes Vietnam fragrant rice prices hit record low, Rising Costs put Pressure on Rice and Bottled Water Prices in Thailand and Bangladesh government distributes rice ahead of Eid al-Fitr.

Vietnam Fragrant Rice Prices Hit Record Low Amid Weak Demand and Oversupply

According to market sources, Vietnam’s fragrant rice prices have dropped to their lowest level in three years, pressured by weak export demand and limited trading activity. Notably, the sustained weakness highlighted a slowdown in Vietnam’s rice trade, with exporters struggling to secure fresh deals amid muted export demand along with few new bookings from key destinations, overall export activity is expected to remain subdued through the final quarter of 2025. Vietnam's fragrant 5% rice at $430/mt FOB Oct. 16, down $14 month over month, the lowest since Sept. 26, 2022, when the variety was assessed at $430/mt FOB. The decline reflects broader weakness across Asian rice markets, with the Philippines, Vietnam's major buyer, largely absent from the market. Apparently, in early August, the Philippines, one of the world's largest rice importers, decided to suspend rice imports for 60 days from Sept. 1 to support domestic farmers affected by falling prices during the harvest season. Moreover, in early October, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the rice import ban would be extended to April 2026, with a limited exception in January, when nearly 300,000 mt of rice will be allowed to enter the country to increase the supply, as part of a broader effort to protect local farmers and more closely manage the country's rice supply. A Ho Chi Minh City–based exporter told that the domestic rice market remained quiet this week, with slow buying and several warehouses.

Rising Costs Put Pressure on Rice and Bottled Water Prices in Thailand

According to sources, Producers of bagged rice and bottled mineral water have stated that they will maintain current prices until the end of April, with any future price changes dependent on developments in the Middle East. Somkiat Makcayathorn, executive director of PRG Corporation Plc, the producer of Mah Boonkrong Rice, told the that the Middle East conflicts affect all businesses. He added that the major concern for the bagged rice industry is the rising cost of plastic bags, which have increased by 25-60%, depending on the type and size. Our current stock will last until the end of April. If the conflicts continue and high plastic prices persist, we will need to discuss price adjustments with the Commerce Ministry. Moreover, Somkiat said that Bagged rice is not on the price control list and therefore does not require approval from the authorities for price changes. The bagged rice market is highly competitive, with sales promotions planned for about two months with modern trade and supermarket operators. Distribution channels are another important issue for the bagged rice market. Typically, modern trade operators set the gross profit rate at around 20%, which is significant for rice suppliers. This should be discussed if we need to adjust prices. In addition, Rena Udomkunnatum, owner of Rare Beverage Co Ltd, the manufacturer of the Thai mineral water brand 6ty Degrees, stated that suppliers informed her there is adequate bottle packaging stock for now, and they intend to maintain current prices until April.

Bangladesh Govt Distributes Over 1,461.83 Tonnes of Rice in Khulna Ahead of Eid ul Fitr

As per the latest updates, ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the Bangladesh government has distributed 1,461.83 tonnes

of rice among 1, 46,183 VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) cardholders in nine upazilas and two pourasabhas of Khulna district. Notably, each cardholder's family received 10 kilograms of VGF rice. Moreover, Khulna District Relief and Disaster Management officials stated that a total of 105.40 tonnes of rice were distributed among 10,540 cardholders in Dakop upazila, whereas 130.81 tonnes among 13,081 cardholders in Batiaghata upazila,131.70 tonnes among 13,170 cardholders in Dighalia upazila and 140.40 tonnes of rice were distributed among 14,040 cardholders in Rupsha upazila. Not only this, but 118.78 tonnes of rice were also distributed among 11,878 cardholders in Fultala upazila, while 179.56 tonnes were distributed among 17,956 card holders in Koyra upazila, 215.95 tonnes among 21,595 cardholders in Paikgachha upazila, 100.70 tonnes among 10,070 card holders in Terokhada upazila, and 261.43 tonnes of rice were distributed among 26,143 cardholders in Dumuria Upazila of the district. Apart from this, nearly 30.85 tonnes of rice were distributed among 3,085 cardholders In Chalna Pourasabha, whereas 46.25 tonnes of rice were distributed among 4,625 cardholders in Paikgachha Pourasabha. Interestingly, the Director (VGF) of the District Relief and Disaster Management Department Md Abdul Karim revealed that the government distributes the VGF rice ahead of time for both Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha every year. Most of the VGF rice has already been distributed among the beneficiaries.