Hanoi, March 27 -- Amid heightened volatility in the global rice market caused by geopolitical tensions, expanding global supply, and intensifying competition, Vietnam's rice sector is under growing pressure to recalibrate its development strategy towards broader market diversification, improved quality, and greater value addition.

According to the Plant Production and Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the 2025-2026 Winter-Spring crop in the Mekong Delta is expected to produce nearly 11 million tonnes of paddy, with March accounting for about 5.5 million tonnes. Total exportable paddy output in 2026 is projected at roughly 15.46 million tonnes, equivalent to 7.73 million tonnes of rice, creating sig...