HANOI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The average export price of Vietnam's rice reached 539 U.S. dollars per ton in the first six months of this year, up 10 percent year on year and touching the highest level in the past 10 years, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
In the period, the country exported more than 4.2 million tons of rice, worth 2.26 billion dollars, up 21 percent in volume and 32 percent in value compared to the same period last year, local newspaper reported on Thursday, citing the department.
Notably, in June, the average export price of rice reached 650 dollars per ton, up 9.4 percent compared to the previous month and 20.8 percent over the same period last year, said the report.
The price of Vietnamese rice is continuing to maintain its upward momentum due to increased demand abroad, it added.
Many countries are actively purchasing rice to ensure food security as the El Nino phenomenon is forecast to affect agriculture negatively, the report said. ■