Singapore and Vietnam Sign Rice Trade Memorandum:
Strengthening Food Security and Regional Supply Chains

On October 30, 2025, at the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Gyeongju, South Korea, Singapore and Vietnam officially signed their first-ever Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on rice trade - marking a strategic milestone in bilateral economic relations and a pivotal step toward a more stable and sustainable rice supply for the region.

The MOC was signed by Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu and Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. It aims to facilitate the unimpeded export of mutually agreed quantities of rice from Vietnam to Singapore, while reinforcing commitments to avoid unnecessary trade restrictions and ensure stable long-term supply.

“As a country that imports over 90% of our food, Singapore is not spared from global food supply disruptions,” said Minister Grace Fu. “Securing global and regional partnerships is essential for ensuring a stable supply of rice for Singapore.”

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed that the agreement represents “a concrete step in implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” (CSP) between the two nations, which was elevated to the highest level in March 2025.
He added that the MOC “demonstrates our shared commitment to ASEAN food security and resilient supply chains.”

Vietnam’s Competitive Position in Singapore’s Rice Market

According to trade data, Singapore imported approximately US$94.2 million worth of rice from Vietnam in 2024, up from US$73.4 million in 2023, accounting for nearly 30% of Singapore’s total rice imports.

Although India and Thailand remain strong competitors, Vietnam continues to lead in high-quality and specialty rice segments such as fragrant, japonica, and glutinous rice, where consumer demand remains stable.

In 2024:

• Milled fragrant rice from Vietnam surged 65.7% year-on-year,
• Glutinous rice rose more than 4.6 times,
• Broken rice exports increased 113.6%,
• While white long-grain rice remained steady, up 0.24%.

These figures reflect Vietnam’s resilience in high-value segments, despite intense competition from India’s parboiled rice and Thailand’s Hom Mali varieties.

Beyond Trade: Building the “Vietnamese Rice” Brand

Experts emphasize that the biggest challenge for Vietnam in the Singaporean market is branding and visibility. Most Vietnamese rice in Singapore is currently repackaged under local or private labels, making it difficult for consumers to identify its origin.

Meanwhile, countries like Thailand, India, and Japan have long invested in consistent national rice branding, collaborating closely with importers and retailers to strengthen market recognition.

“After leading the market in the first half of 2024, Vietnam lost share to India and Thailand - showing that quality, packaging, and branding must go hand in hand,” said Cao Xuan Thang, Trade Counsellor at the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore.

The signing of the MOC opens a new opportunity for Vietnam to promote national rice branding and expand its premium presence in Singapore - a market that not only serves nearly 6 million consumers but also acts as a global transshipment hub.

Strategic Outlook

For Vietnamese rice exporters, Singapore is more than a destination market - it’s a gateway to global recognition.

To fully leverage the MOC’s potential, businesses must invest in:

• Product traceability and quality assurance
• Standardized packaging and certification
• Long-term brand building and trade promotion

In a world facing supply chain disruptions, climate risks, and food security challenges, the Vietnam-Singapore MOC is not just a trade deal - it is a strategic commitment to stability, partnership, and sustainable growth.

For market-specific insights, quotation or forward contracts, contact Cam Rice export team for support.

Email: sales@camgroup.vn

Phone: 0356760109 (Mr. Tommy) (Zalo/WhatsApp)