EXPORTING VIETNAMESE RICE TO EU MARKET IN PRESENT AND IN FUTURE FACING A NEW OPPORTUNITY TOWARDS THE EU-VIETNAM FREE TRADE AGREEMENT – EVFTA

This study focuses on analyzing and evaluating Vietnamese rice in exporting activities into the worldwide market, especially European market. With detailed analysis on the reality of production situation, export turnover structure, market and direct comparisons among main Asian rice-exporters to EU such as Thailand, Pakistan and Indian, it figures out the strength and weakness in R&D, logistics & supply chain, technology, and operation strategies of Vietnam. This study also measures the impact of EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement signed and taken into effect from 01.08.2020. As being awarded as the world’s best rice with ST-25 in the annual world rice competition in Philippines 2019, Vietnam has utilized this opportunity and handled a new FTA with European. The EU pledges to import an annual rice quota of 80000 tons in broken rice from Vietnam with zero percent tariff after three to five years, which used to be 45% or even up to 100% in some European countries. However, exporters will face major challenges due to EU’s strict quality in environmental protection, high standardization that currently favor rice products from main exporter countries. My research finding indicates some fundamental solutions taking advantage of the opportunities to overcome obstacles, contributing to increase export turnover and mass volume of rice in the earliest time.