Vietnam is one of the three largest rice exporters in the world, and rice remains one of the products where its name carries real weight with buyers. In 2025 the country shipped more than 8 million tonnes of rice worth over US$4.1 billion. In the first half of 2026 volume reached a record for a first half, with more than 5 million tonnes shipped, even though prices stayed lower than a year earlier.
For an importer, trader or analyst, rice is easy to find but hard to compare. Grades, varieties and buyer markets all change the price. This guide explains HS code 1006, who buys Vietnamese rice, how to read the grade terms and how to use Vietnam rice export data to build a list of exporters.
Vietnam Rice Exports: Key Numbers
| Measure | 2025 | H1 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Volume exported | More than 8.06 million tonnes | More than 5 million tonnes, up 6.9%, a first-half record |
| Value of exports | Over US$4.1 billion | About US$2.4 billion, down about 2.5% |
| Average price per tonne | About US$509 | About US$460 |
| Average price in the year before | US$627 in 2024 | Over 11% below H1 2025 |
| Largest buyer | Philippines, about 40% of volume | Philippines, about US$1.06 billion |
The pattern is clear: volume holds up or grows while the average price keeps falling, which is why value fell in 2025 even though shipments hit a record. Prices per tonne dropped about 19% in 2025 as global supply grew and some large buyers slowed their purchases.
HS Code 1006 and Related Codes
Rice sits in HS heading 1006. The 6-digit codes follow the stage of processing, from paddy straight from the field to milled white rice.
| HS code | What it covers | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1006.10 | Rice in the husk (paddy) | Seed and further milling |
| 1006.20 | Husked (brown) rice | Health food and specialty markets |
| 1006.30 | Semi-milled or wholly milled rice (white rice) | The main export code, including fragrant and parboiled rice |
| 1006.40 | Broken rice | Processing, noodles, feed and brewing |
| 1102.90 | Rice flour | Noodles, snacks and baking |
Most shipments fall under 1006.30. Search 1006 as a whole first, then narrow by the product description, because grade and variety are written in the description rather than the code.
Who Buys Vietnamese Rice
The Philippines is the biggest buyer by a wide margin, but African markets and China have become more important as the Philippines paused purchases late in 2025. In 2025 the Philippines took more than 3.2 million tonnes worth about US$1.57 billion, close to 40% of volume. Ivory Coast bought about 1.06 million tonnes and Ghana about 919,000 tonnes, while China imported about 747,000 tonnes.
| Market | 2025 volume | 2025 value | What stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines | Over 3.2 million tonnes | About US$1.57 billion | Largest buyer, at a below-average price of about US$490 per tonne |
| Ivory Coast | About 1.06 million tonnes | About US$478 million | Fast growing, about 13% of volume |
| Ghana | About 919,000 tonnes | About US$514 million | Pays a higher price per tonne |
| China | About 747,000 tonnes | About US$374 million | Demand swings from year to year |
The First Half of 2026
The market mix kept shifting in the first half of 2026. China moved into second place, and Ghana, Ivory Coast, Malaysia and Singapore filled out the list.
| Market | H1 2026 volume | H1 2026 value |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines | Nearly 2.4 million tonnes | About US$1.06 billion |
| China | About 915,000 tonnes | About US$454 million |
| Ghana | About 446,000 tonnes | About US$230 million |
| Ivory Coast | About 292,000 tonnes | About US$115 million |
| Malaysia | About 251,000 tonnes | About US$102 million |
| Singapore | About 75,000 tonnes | About US$38.5 million |
Rice Grades and Terms in Shipment Records
Rice records are mostly about grade. A record may say "5% broken white rice" or "jasmine rice, 25 kg bags", and those words explain the price difference between two shipments under the same code.
| Term in the record | Meaning | Price effect |
|---|---|---|
| 5% broken | No more than 5% of grains are broken | The standard reference grade, higher price |
| 25% broken | Up to 25% broken grains | Lower price, popular with cost-sensitive buyers |
| 100% broken | All grains broken | Lowest price, used for processing and feed |
| Parboiled | Steamed in the husk before milling | Different price band, popular in West Africa and South Asia |
| Fragrant (Jasmine, ST25 and similar) | Aromatic varieties | Premium price |
| Glutinous | Sticky rice | Specialty price, Asian markets |
| 25 kg, 50 kg or jumbo bags | Packing size | Shows if goods are for retail or bulk buyers |
How Vietnamese Rice Is Priced
Vietnamese rice usually sells at a premium to rivals. In late 2025, Vietnamese 5% broken rice was quoted at around US$415 to 430 per tonne, compared with about US$338 for Thai rice and US$344 to 350 for Indian rice. Buyers pay more for consistent quality, strong fragrant varieties and reliable supply from the Mekong Delta, where most of the crop is grown.
How to Find Rice Exporters in the Records
- Search HS 1006 with the last 12 months selected.
- Filter by description: add "5% broken", "jasmine", "ST25" or "parboiled" to match your product.
- Group by exporter and rank by tonnes shipped.
- Check the buyers. Exporters already selling to Africa, China or Southeast Asia know those markets' standards and packing needs.
- Compare price per tonne for the same grade and shipping terms.
- Verify the company before writing, using our guide to checking a supplier before you contact them.
What to Watch in 2026
- Market diversification: exporters are selling more to China, West Africa, Malaysia and Singapore to depend less on one buyer.
- Prices: the average price has fallen about 11% from a year earlier, so margins are thin.
- Higher-value rice: fragrant and specialty varieties are growing as a share of shipments.
- Volumes: market forecasts see Vietnam's 2026 rice exports at around 8.1 million tonnes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HS code for rice?
Rice is classified under HS heading 1006. White milled rice, the most exported type, falls under 1006.30.
How much rice does Vietnam export?
More than 8 million tonnes in 2025, worth over US$4.1 billion, and over 5 million tonnes in the first half of 2026.
Who is the biggest buyer of Vietnamese rice?
The Philippines, which took about 40% of Vietnam's rice exports in 2025.
What does 5% broken rice mean?
It means that no more than 5% of the grains in the lot are broken. It is the standard reference grade used for pricing.
Search Rice Export Data
Ready to build your list of exporters? Open Vietnam rice export data to search HS 1006 by exporter, buyer, grade and price per tonne. If you need help matching a grade to the right record, send us an enquiry.
Disclaimer: Vietnam Import Export Data provides shipment records and trade datasets. We do not buy or sell any products. For purchasing or selling enquiries, please contact the importers and exporters listed in our datasets.
