Did you know? 

Thanks to Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) such as EVFTA, RCEP, and CPTPP, Vietnamese rice can now be exported to the EU with a preferential tariff of 0%. Exporting rice has never been easier—or more profitable. So, how can importers take full advantage of FTAs and expand their global markets? Let’s explore the key strategies in this article. 

1. The Golden Opportunity for Vietnamese Rice Exports under FTAs 

Vietnam is one of the world’s leading rice exporters, shipping over 9 million tons in 2024 (according to Vietnam Customs). By leveraging FTAs, Vietnam has significantly expanded access to high-potential markets like the EU, Japan, and Africa with preferential tariffs. Export volume is projected to reach 7.5 million tons in 2025. 

Vietnamese rice prices in the EU are 20% higher than other suppliers, demonstrating strong competitiveness.

2. Trade Policies & Preferential Tariffs

2.1 Vietnam’s Export Policies 

FTA  Quota / Tariff  Main Markets  Key Requirements 
EVFTA  80,000 tons/year, 0%  EU  C/O Form EUR.1, pesticide residue <0.01mg/kg 
RCEP  0% or preferential  China, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN  C/O Form RCEP, Codex, HACCP standards 
CPTPP/UKVFTA  0% or preferential  Canada, Australia, UK  OEM contracts, international standards 

Export Challenges: 

  • High logistics costs and rising input prices
  • Heavy reliance on traditional markets (Philippines, Indonesia)
  • Fierce competition from Thailand, India, and Cambodia
  • Limited investment in traceability and globally certified raw material zones 

2.2 Major Rice Exporting Countries 

Country  Policies  Impact  Challenges 
India  Lifted ban on non-basmati rice exports (Sep 2024)  Reduces global supply pressure  Lower prices than Vietnam, highly competitive in low-price segment 
Thailand  Reduced tax on brown rice and parboiled rice from 20% to 10%  Offers Vietnam an edge via CPTPP  Thai rice is cheaper than Vietnamese rice 
Cambodia  0% tariff to EU & Vietnam (300,000-ton quota, extendable to 2025)  Lowest rice price in EU (1.4-1.5 EUR/kg vs. 2.5 EUR/kg for Vietnamese rice)  Strong competition in budget segment 
USA  New tariffs (10% base + “reciprocal tariff”: Vietnam 46%, Thailand 36%, India 26%)  Creates an advantage for Vietnamese rice in the US   


2.3 Major Importing Markets 

Country  Policies  Opportunities 
EU  0% tariff for 800,000 tons under EVFTA  Strict pesticide residue and seed certification requirements; demand for aromatic rice is rising 
Philippines  Reduced import tariffs through 2025 to control inflation; 0% tariff under RCEP & ASEAN  Largest Vietnamese rice importer (46.4% of Q1 2024 exports at $641.7/ton) 
Africa  Expected to surpass Southeast Asia as top rice importer by 2025 (Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa)  Medium-quality broken and white rice meets budget demand 
USA  Rising demand for aromatic rice; Thai rice restricted by new tariffs  Opportunity for ST24, ST25 under CPTPP; ideal for Asian communities and specialty markets 

2.4 Global Policy Trends 2025 

Export Restrictions: India imposes 10% tariff on brown and parboiled rice but lifts the ban on non-basmati rice exports, easing global supply pressure 

Non-Tariff Barriers: EU, US, and Japan tighten food safety, pesticide residue, and green standards (e.g., carbon tax from 2026) 

Trade Liberalization: RCEP and CPTPP reduce tariffs but increase competition 

Climate Change: El Niño reduces Asian rice production, boosting demand but straining supply 

Technology: E-commerce and blockchain enhance transparency and traceability in agricultural exports 

3. How Importers Can Maximize FTAs 

3.1 Understand Tariff Preferences 

  • EVFTA: Import up to 80,000 tons of milled, unmilled, or fragrant rice at 0% tariff; broken rice is not quota-restricted, ideal for low-cost segments
  • RCEP, CPTPP, UKVFTA: Check specific import tariff preferences at the destination customs
  • ASEAN: 0% tariff for Vietnamese rice with C/O Form D 

3.2 Secure Certificate of Origin (C/O) 

  • Importance: C/O (EUR.1, RCEP, Form D) is essential to qualify for preferential tariffs
  • Action: Coordinate with exporters to ensure C/O is issued by Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade; verify information to avoid customs issues 

3.3 Meet Quality Standards 

Country  Required Action 
EU  GlobalG.A.P., Organic certification, pesticide residue <0.01mg/kg 
Japan, South Korea, US  Codex, HACCP compliance, full traceability 

Action: Request SRP, BRC, or Organic certificates from exporters 

3.4 Choose the Right Rice Type for Target Markets 

Rice Type  Target Market 
Aromatic rice (ST25, Jasmine)  EU, US, Middle East 
Broken rice  Africa, food processing industry 
Organic rice  EU, UK, US – fast-growing markets 

3.5 Optimize Logistics 

Challenge: High shipping costs from Vietnam to EU/US 

Solution: Negotiate and share costs with exporters 

3.6 Partner with Trusted Exporters 

Choose partners that meet government-certified raw material standards: GlobalG.A.P, HACCP, Organic 

Request OEM/Private Label contracts to build a local brand 

3.7 Monitor Market Policies 

Track export regulations from India and Thailand to adapt your import strategy 

Stay up-to-date with import quotas and requirements via customs authorities or trade associations 

4. Partner with Lotus Rice – Your Strategic Export 

With over 18 years of experience exporting to more than 55 countries, Lotus Rice offers: 

  • A wide variety of premium-quality rice 
  • Certified by international standards: GlobalG.A.P, BRC, HACCP, Halal, USDA/EU Organic 
  • Sustainable production and full traceability 

Contact Lotus Rice today—Vietnam’s trusted rice exporter—for consultation and FTA optimization. Don’t miss this golden opportunity to import Vietnamese rice at 0% tariff in 2025! 

LotusRice B2BPartner VietnamToTheWorld AgriBusiness RiceExport GlobalSupplyChain PrivateLabel TrustedSupplier FoodIndustry ValueChain
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Website: https://www.lotusrice.vn/
Email: connect@lotusgroup.vn
WhatsApp: (+84 77) 6996 768
Phone: (+84 28) 3622 2236
Head office: No. 52, Street 10, Him Lam Residence, Tan Hung Ward, District 7, HCM