Rice prices on March 2nd: Market remains stable, OM 18 rice maintains at 6,700 VND/kg.
The rice market in the Mekong Delta on March 2nd remained stable, with prices staying level as traders cautiously purchased rice while awaiting export signals.
The rice market in the Mekong Delta region on March 2nd remained relatively stable, with no significant price fluctuations. Trading activity was slow, with traders tending to purchase cautiously, while export businesses awaited further signals from new contracts.
Prices of fresh rice remain stable in all localities.
In many key localities, the price of fresh paddy rice remains at the same level as last weekend. Specifically, high-quality rice varieties such as OM 18 and Dai Thom 8 are commonly traded around 6,500 – 6,700 VND/kg. Other rice varieties also maintain a narrow price range, reflecting the cautious sentiment of the market before the peak harvest season.
| type of rice | Price (VND/kg) |
|---|---|
| OM 18, Fragrant Tower 8 | 6,500 – 6,700 |
| OM 4218 | 6,200 – 6,400 |
| OM 5451 | 5,800 – 6,000 |
| IR 50404 | 5,400 – 5,500 |
| OM 34 | 5,200 – 5,400 |
The current supply, not yet at the peak of the harvest season, means that transactions are not very active, especially in rice fields that are still far from harvest. This helps to keep rice prices stable and prevent a drop, even though demand from traders is not yet high.
Slight fluctuations in the raw rice and retail segments.
In the raw rice segment, prices continued to remain within a narrow range. Notably, Dai Thom 8 rice saw a slight increase of about 50 VND/kg, reaching 9,250 – 9,350 VND/kg. Meanwhile, other varieties remained basically stable: CL 555 at 7,950 – 8,050 VND/kg; IR 504 at 8,000 – 8,100 VND/kg; and OM 5451 at approximately 8,800 – 8,900 VND/kg. Finished IR 504 rice is currently commonly offered at 9,500 – 9,700 VND/kg.
In the retail market, fragrant and specialty rice varieties continue to maintain high prices. Nang Nhen rice tops the list at approximately 28,000 VND/kg; Huong Lai and Japanese rice are both at 22,000 VND/kg. Other common white rice varieties generally range from 12,000 to 17,000 VND/kg depending on type and quality.
Signals from export and regional markets
According to the Vietnam Food Association (VFA), Vietnamese export rice prices remained stable in early March. 5% broken rice is currently being offered at around US$400-415 per ton; 100% broken rice at US$316-320 per ton; and Jasmine rice at US$431-435 per ton.
Statistical data shows that in January 2026, Vietnam exported more than 650,000 tons of rice with a value of nearly 310 million USD, an increase of about 19% in volume compared to the same period last year. The Philippines continues to maintain its position as Vietnam's largest rice consumer market.
In the region, the Thai Rice Exporters Association reported that Thailand's rice exports in January 2026 reached over 530,000 tons, a decrease of 17.5% compared to the same period last year. The main reason is the appreciation of the Thai baht, which reduces the competitiveness of Thai rice, while global supply from India, Vietnam, and Pakistan remains quite abundant.
Overall, the domestic rice market is in a wait-and-see state. In the short term, prices are expected to remain stable and closely depend on the progress of new export contracts and the supply and demand dynamics in the international market.
