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Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel on July 7 visited the Mekong Delta province of An Giang, one of the key rice-producing areas of Vietnam, during which he affirmed that the Philippines wishes and stands ready to cooperate with Vietnam to ensure stable, quality rice supply.

Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel at a working session with An Giang province's authorities. Photo: An Giang newspaper

While in An Giang, Laurel made a field trip to Hanh Phuc Rice Factory in Luong An Tra commune, Tri Ton district.

According to the official, the Philippine population grows 1.5% annually, driving up its demand for rice, while domestic supplies haven't been able to match, and therefore it has to increase imports.

Laurel also said he wants Vietnamese rice companies to consider investing in the Philippines.

The Philippines has viewed Vietnam as a key partner in ensuring domestic food security, he said, noting that up to 80% of imported rice in the Philippines comes from Vietnam.

The Philippines looks forward to learning more about how Vietnam develops high-quality rice varieties that adapt and withstand adverse weather conditions such as drought, saltwater intrusion, floods, and pests, the official stressed.

Deputy Director of the provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Ho Thanh Binh said An Giang has 297,000 hectares of farming land, and it produces about 4 million tons of rice each year.

Vietnam exports 4.68 million tons of rice in the first six months of this year. Photo: thoibaotaichinhvietnam.vn

Last year, the province exported nearly 580,000 tons of rice worth 339 million USD, with 13.3 million USD to the Philippines.

Vietnam and the Philippines sealed agreements covering rice trade and agriculture cooperation during a state visit to Hanoi by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in January.

Vietnam exported 4.68 million tons of rice in the first six months of this year, earning $2.98 billion USD, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The figures represented an increase of 10.4% in volume and 32% in value over the same period last year.

The country harvested 3.48 million ha of rice in the first half of 2024, up 0.5% year-on-year. The average yield reached 6.7 tons per ha, an increase of 0.7 tons per ha, bringing the total output to 23.3 million tons, up 1.6% year-on-year.

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