Hanoi, March 9 -- Vietnam exported an estimated 640,000 tonnes of rice worth 289.4 million USD in February, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

In the first two months of the year, rice exports reached 1.3 million tonnes valued at 599.3 million USD, up 5% in volume but down 11.2% in value compared with the same period last year.

The average export price during the January-February period was estimated at 464.1 USD per tonne, a decrease of 15.4% year on year.

The Philippines remained Vietnam's largest rice market, accounting for 47.6% of total exports. China and Ghana followed with shares of 18.3% and 8.9%, respectively.

Compared with the same period last year, export value to the Philippines rose 17.6%, while shi...