Elsewhere, Thailand ranked second, exporting 300,227 tonnes, followed by Pakistan 144,834 tonnes, and Myanmar 65,080 tonnes.

Some business representatives noted that Vietnamese rice varieties DT8 and 5451 have proved popular in the Philippine market due to their soft texture.

Currently, Vietnamese rice has dominated the Metro Manila area and southern provinces in the Philippines thanks to product quality and affordable prices, thereby opening up bright prospects ahead for local rice exporters in the second half of the year.

Data released by the Bureau of Plant Industry under the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture shows, the Philippines’ total rice imports increased by 20.3% to reach 1.97 million tonnes in the first five months of this year, or 330,000 tonnes more than the same period last year.

Since the beginning of the year the Bureau of Plant Industry has issued a total of 4,066 certificates for custom clearance to import businesses.

Source: VOV