Soc Trang province succeeds in bringing specialty rice to the world

Soc Trang province succeeds in exporting fragrant rice, a specialty product, to the world. This achievement stems from the strategic development of high-quality rice growing areas, specializing in fragrant rice and standardizing production towards low emissions. Currently, Soc Trang has 2 large rice processing enterprises with an annual scale of over 20,000 tons. The main export markets for Soc Trang rice are the Philippines, China, Malaysia, among others.

Additionally, the province has 19 mills and processing facilities for rice and rice products, with a total annual production capacity of approximately 50,000 tons, serving domestic consumption. Despite the modest number of direct rice export businesses, Soc Trang province has achieved impressive export values, consistently increasing in recent years. In 2023, Soc Trang's rice export value reached USD 410 million, and by 2024, the province set a record with nearly USD 800 million. In the first half of 2025, rice exports also recorded USD 320 million, placing the province at the forefront within the Mekong Delta region.

These achievements highlight the quality of products and the effective value chain connection in Soc Trang, contributing to its positive outcomes. The province's exported rice mainly includes high-value, fragrant rice varieties like ST24 and ST25, which enhances brand reputation and delivers significant profits.

Mr. Vuong Quoc Nam, Vice Chairman of the Soc Trang People's Committee, noted that the province annually cultivates over 330,000 hectares of rice fields (with 2-3 crops per year), yielding over 2 million tons. Of these, high-quality and specialty rice accounts for 93%, with fragrant and specialty rice alone comprising about 55%. These varieties are naturally aromatic, delicious, and have won numerous international awards, making them highly favored in international markets.

This success is the result of a strategy that focuses on developing high-quality rice-growing areas, prioritizing fragrant and specialty rice, and closely integrating production and consumption along the value chain. Soc Trang's rice export prices are consistently in the high segment. For instance, ST25 rice has been sold internationally for over USD 1,000 per ton, significantly higher than the Vietnamese rice average (around USD 650-750 per ton). This high unit value has compensated for the fewer number of businesses and contributed to the strong growth in total export turnover.

According to the Soc Trang Department of Industry and Trade, the province possesses a dynamic network of local enterprises that play a key role in connecting production with export intermediaries. They are responsible for purchasing, preliminary processing, quality inspection, and linking consumption with raw material areas through linked contracts or large field models.

A notable example is the 2024-2025 winter-spring crop, during which approximately 60 companies, enterprises, and traders in the Mekong Delta region collaborated to purchase Soc Trang's rice production across over 28,000 hectares. Many of these enterprises have actively invested in drying machines, warehouses, and quality control systems to ensure export standards.

Currently, many countries worldwide and consumers are not only interested in delicious and nutritious rice products but also require environmentally friendly production methods. Therefore, Soc Trang province is actively implementing the Sustainable Development of One Million Hectares of High Quality and Low-Emission Rice Associated with Green Growth in the Mekong River Delta By 2030 Project, aiming to establish approximately 72,000 hectares of raw material areas by 2030. This initiative aims to not only improve rice quality but also standardize production processes to international standards, creating conditions for local enterprises to directly participate in exports.

Soc Trang province identifies that the Project will be a turning point and foundation for policy development in Vietnam's rice sector in the new phase. "To build solid, high-rise houses, they must be constructed on a solid foundation," added Vice Chairman of the Soc Trang People's Committee.

In addition, the locality focuses on supporting small businesses and cooperatives in accessing tools such as source tracing, issuing cultivation area codes, and packaging facility codes, as well as training on market regulations of various countries. This foundation enables Soc Trang enterprises to gradually build their own rice brand and move towards direct participation in the export chain.

To achieve sustainable development goals in economics, society, and the environment, Soc Trang province will emphasize solutions to increase the value of rice by diversifying rice and rice product offerings. The focus is on increasing profits for rice growers and the benefits of businesses involved in the rice value chain.

Building on existing advantages, the province is also intensifying efforts to develop effective management, connection, and cooperation methods to promote the growth of high-quality rice in accordance with the criteria of the Sustainable Development Project for one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice. The goal is to "Build, maintain, and protect the national rice brand's success" in the international market.