Voluntary Report - public distribution

**Date:** 4/13/2004

**GAIN Report Number:** VM4021

VM4018

**Vietnam**

**Grain and Feed**

**Rice Weekly Update**

**2004**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Henry Schmick

U.S. Embassy

**Prepared by:**

Tran Quoc Quan

**Report Highlights**: Prices remained at a high level due to large rice
quantities being delivered to fulfill pending contracts and tight
exportable rice supplies from the Mekong River Delta. As of early April,
the export quantity has surpassed that of the same period last year.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

Hanoi \[VM1\]

\[VM\]

**Indicative price (Week ending Apr. 9, 2004)**

Vietnam rice export prices (FOB basis) for various grades

<table>
<colgroup>
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<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 12%" />
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<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td rowspan="2"><p>Grade</p>
<p>% Broken</p></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="2">Period Averages</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>#1</td>
<td>#2</td>
<td>#3</td>
<td>#4</td>
<td>#5</td>
<td>#6</td>
<td>#7</td>
<td>Current Average</td>
<td>Previous (Apr.2)</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>5</td>
<td>242</td>
<td>242</td>
<td>243</td>
<td>243</td>
<td>243</td>
<td>242</td>
<td>242</td>
<td>242.42</td>
<td>241.43</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>10</td>
<td>237</td>
<td>237</td>
<td>237</td>
<td>237</td>
<td>237</td>
<td>237</td>
<td>237</td>
<td>237.00</td>
<td>236.57</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>15</td>
<td>230</td>
<td>230</td>
<td>230</td>
<td>230</td>
<td>230</td>
<td>230</td>
<td>230</td>
<td>230.00</td>
<td>229.43</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>25</td>
<td>220</td>
<td>220</td>
<td>220</td>
<td>220</td>
<td>220</td>
<td>222</td>
<td>222</td>
<td>220.57</td>
<td>221.14</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Source: Average indicative prices from exporters

Export prices remained at high level due to a large quantity of rice
being delivered, especially in the end March and early April, for the
pending contracts, (see the table below). A shortage of exportable rice
from the MRD also prevents the prices from going down.

On April 6, the Ministry of Trade (MOT) issued an urgent circular
(1555/TM- KV1) to update rice traders with information on international
rice markets. The MOT also warned rice farmers, millers and exporters to
be careful with their rice speculation as rice prices will probably be
declining due to lower demand from international markets.

**Exports**

######## The following are reported rice exports from March 27-April 02, 2004

+--------------+-----------+-----------+---------------+------------+
| **Week       | **Q       | **4-WK    | **Year to     | **Year     |
| ending**     | uantity** | Avg.**    | date**        | ago**      |
+--------------+-----------+-----------+---------------+------------+
| ###          | 68,200    | 53,687    | 269,300       | 445,000    |
| #### Mar. 05 |           |           |               |            |
+--------------+-----------+-----------+---------------+------------+
| ###          | 85,700    | 61,838    | 355,000       | 520,000    |
| #### Mar. 12 |           |           |               |            |
+--------------+-----------+-----------+---------------+------------+
| ###          | 84,000    | 68,500    | 439,000       | 618,000    |
| #### Mar. 19 |           |           |               |            |
+--------------+-----------+-----------+---------------+------------+
| ###          | 153,000   | 97,725    | 592,000       | 710,200    |
| #### Mar. 26 |           |           |               |            |
+--------------+-----------+-----------+---------------+------------+
| ####         | 278,000   | 150,175   | 870,000       | 815,000    |
| ### April 02 |           |           |               |            |
+--------------+-----------+-----------+---------------+------------+

As of April 2, 2004, Vietnam's rice export has surpassed the amount
exported in the same period last year. A number of vessels are being
loaded in Saigon Port with the total quantity estimated at around
250,000 -- 270,000 mts.

Post estimates Vietnam's April rice exports at 350,000 -- 400,000 mts
(excluding China border trade, if any), mainly for pending contract
delivery.

End of Report