Rice trading at high level; Domestic and world gas prices fluctuate in opposite directions

New rice transactions are steady, prices remain high

Rice prices today (June 20) in the Mekong Delta remain stable for paddy, while increasing by 50 VND/kg for finished rice. Accordingly, at An Giang warehouse, rice prices remain stable. Specifically, OM 18 rice is purchased by traders at 6,800 VND/kg; OM 5451 rice is priced at 6,300 - 6,500/kg. IR 50404 rice is priced at 6,200 - 6,400 VND/kg. Nang Hoa 9 rice is purchased by traders at 6,600 - 6,800 VND/kg. Dai Thom 8 rice is priced at 6,800 - 7,000 VND/kg. Nhat rice is priced at 7,800 - 8,000 VND/kg. Nang Nhen rice (dry) is priced at 13,000 VND/kg; AG sticky rice (fresh) costs 6,200 VND/kg

For dry sticky rice, AG sticky rice (dry) costs between 7,200 - 7,600 VND/kg, Long An sticky rice (dry) costs between 7,900 - 8,100 VND/kg.

Rice prices remain high.

At the retail market, rice prices remain stable, with regular rice at 11,500 - 12,500 VND/kg; Jasmine fragrant rice at 15,000 - 16,000 VND/kg; Soc regular rice at 15,000 VND/kg; Sticky rice at 16,000 - 18,000 VND/kg; Common white rice at 14,500 VND/kg; Nang Hoa at 18,500 VND/kg; Soc Thai at 18,000 VND/kg; Taiwanese fragrant rice at 20,000 VND/kg; Japanese rice at 22,000 VND/kg; Bran at 7,600 - 8,000 VND/kg; Long grain Thai fragrant rice remains at 18,000 - 19,000 VND/kg and Huong Lai at 19,000 VND/kg.

Recorded in the Mekong Delta region today, raw rice supply today is low, the wharves are empty, rice prices fluctuate slightly. New rice transactions are steady, rice prices remain high.

In the rice export market, the export price of 5% broken rice from Vietnam is being offered at 498 USD/ton. Meanwhile, the price of 25% broken rice is at 478 USD/ton; Jasmine rice is 578 USD/ton.

According to exporters, increased demand from the international market pushed Vietnam's rice export price in May to an average of 539 USD/ton, up 3.1% over the previous month and the highest level since July 2021. In the first 5 months of the year, the average rice export price reached 529 USD/ton, up 8.3% over the same period.

Notably, as of mid-June, the price of 5% broken rice from Vietnam offered on the international market had increased to 498 USD/ton, the highest level in more than 2 years and up 3-8 USD/ton compared to previous weeks. This price is also higher than the selling price of 490-495 USD/ton for the same product from Thailand and the price of 453 USD/ton from India.

Priceconsumption is flat, businesses should consider when signing contracts

Pepper prices today (June 20) in the domestic market have not fluctuated compared to yesterday. Accordingly, in the Central Highlands region, pepper prices fluctuate around 70,500 - 71,500 VND/kg. Specifically, the price of pepper in Chu Se (Gia Lai) on June 20 is being purchased by traders at 70,500 VND/kg. In Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces, pepper prices remain around 71,500 VND/kg.

Similarly, in the Southeast region, pepper prices today also did not fluctuate. In Ba Ria Vung Tau, pepper prices are being purchased by traders at 73,000 VND/kg. In Binh Phuoc, pepper prices are at 72,500 VND/kg; Dong Nai 71,500 VND/kg.

Pepper prices fluctuate around 70,500 - 71,500 VND/kg.

Thus, pepper prices today continue to move sideways after many fluctuations last week. Currently, pepper prices are being purchased at 70,500-73,000 VND/kg, an increase of 14,000-15,000 VND/kg compared to the beginning of the year (the pepper harvest time). Therefore, although prices have increased, farmers have hardly benefited, because most of them have sold immediately after harvesting to cover investment costs.

With the sharp decrease in supply, pepper prices are expected to continue to increase in the coming time. However, the provincial Department of Agriculture recommends that farmers should not return to growing more of this crop because of the increase in pepper prices; instead, they should focus on taking care of their existing pepper gardens in an organic manner, thereby gradually improving product quality.

The Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA) recommends that businesses, with the mentality of waiting for orders from the market, need to consider and be alert, carefully assessing their financial capacity when signing large-volume contracts, long-distance delivery, at low prices because when other countries enter the season, prices will drop; and when prices rise, they will not buy enough to deliver far, facing risks and losses as happened in the 2022 crop season, affecting business reputation.

In the world market, at the end of the most recent trading session, the International Pepper Community (IPC) listed the price of Lampung black pepper in Indonesia as stable at 3,748 USD/ton; the price of Muntok white pepper in this country remained at 6,189 USD/ton.

Domestic coffee prices remain high

Domestic coffee prices today (June 20) in the Central Highlands provinces decreased by 100 - 200 VND/kg, the highest coffee price was at 66,700 VND/kg, still maintaining a record high price.

Specifically, the price of green coffee beans (coffee beans, fresh coffee beans) in Lam Dong province decreased by 100 VND/kg. In districts such as Bao Loc, Di Linh, Lam Ha, coffee is purchased at a price of 65,900 - 66,000 VND/kg.

Coffee prices in Gia Lai and Kon Tum provinces decreased by VND100/kg, standing at VND66,200/kg.

In Dak Nong province, coffee was purchased at the highest price of 66,700 VND/kg.

Today's coffee price in Dak Lak province decreased by 200 VND/kg, in Cu M'gar district, the coffee price is currently at 66,400 VND/kg. In Ea H'leo district, Buon Ho town, the price is also 66,500 VND/kg.

Although coffee prices have slightly decreased by 100 - 200 VND/kg, it does not affect the fact that coffee prices traded this week maintain a record level and are likely to reach 67,000 VND/kg in the next few days.

For world coffee prices on the two exchanges today, there were mixed results.

At the end of the trading session, Robusta coffee prices on the London floor increased slightly. The July spot price was at 2,803 USD/ton and the September delivery price was at 2,757 USD/ton, other levels increased slightly. Trading volume was above average.

On the other hand, Arabica coffee prices on the New York floor decreased slightly. The July spot futures were at 184.90 cents/lb and the September futures decreased to 180.75 cents/lb, both slight decreases. Trading volume was above average.

According to experts, coffee prices are forecast to continue to increase. However, with the trading volume showing a slowing trend over the past week, many experts believe that the price increase will not be sudden.

Gas price today June 20: Domestic and world markets fluctuate in opposite directions

Compared to the slight decrease of yesterday's trading session (June 19), today's gas price (June 20) increased by 0.047 USD/mmBTU. The domestic and world gas markets fluctuated in opposite directions.

Spot prices for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Asia reversed a multi-week decline and rose to a three-month high this week, tracking rising European gas levels and as high temperatures in northeast Asia boosted cooling demand.

In Europe, gas prices at the Dutch TTF hub rose this week, after hitting a two-year low in early June, due to renewed plans to shut down production at the Dutch Groningen gas field in October and ongoing maintenance at the Norwegian Troll gas field and Oseberg gas fields, following an extended shutdown at the Nyhamna Gas Processing Plant.

Natural gas prices in Europe fluctuated significantly in June. Data from the Independent Commodity Tracking Service (ICIS) showed that the benchmark gas futures price reached 35 euros ($38) per MWh, up 52% ​​from the beginning of the month.

In the domestic market, because the world gas price in June closed at 445 USD/ton, down 110 USD/ton compared to May, businesses adjusted their prices accordingly.

Specifically, starting from June 1, the gas price of Pacific Petroleum Trading Joint Stock Company will decrease by VND35,500/12 kg cylinder and VND148,000/50 kg cylinder. Accordingly, the retail price to consumers will be a maximum of VND403,000/12 kg cylinder and VND1,678,000/50 kg cylinder.

Because the world gas price in June closed at 445 USD/ton, down 110 USD/ton compared to May, businesses adjusted their prices accordingly. Photo: Viet Phuong

Similarly, the Southern branch of Vietnam LPG Gas Trading Joint Stock Company reduced gas prices by VND35,000/12 kg cylinder and VND131,250/45 kg cylinder. The retail price to consumers is VND384,912/12 kg cylinder and VND1,443,000/45 kg cylinder.

City Petro branded retail gas products also decreased by VND2,968/kg. Thus, City Petro’s 12kg gas cylinder will decrease by VND35,500/cylinder, and 45kg gas cylinder will decrease by VND133,500/cylinder.

A representative of Pacific Petroleum Trading Joint Stock Company said that this price reduction is as predicted.

Thus, after the price dropped to 58,000 VND/kg in April, this is the second month that gas prices have continued to decrease. Since the beginning of the year, gas prices have decreased in 4 months and increased in 2 months.