Vietnam shifted rapidly from being a net rice importer prior to 1987 to become the second
largest world rice exporter by 1995. Net rice exports have leveled off at about 3.8 million
metric tons from 1997 to 1999. The world rice price has dropped dramatically in 2000 to
barely cover the rice production cost in Vietnam, and net rice exports are expected to fall to
3.4 million mt because of the poor import demand in 2000. This report reviews the policy
adjustments that led to the rapid growth in rice production and evaluates the prospects for …