Vietnam suspends rice export to ensure food security in novel coronavirus outbreak

Vietnam has suspended its rice export from Tuesday to ensure food security amid novel coronavirus outbreak, Vietnam News Agency reported.

The General Department of Vietnam Customs has requested a suspension of registration, receipt and clearance of shipments of exported rice of all kinds, while shipments of exported rice that have registered customs declarations before Tuesday can proceed in accordance with regulations, the news agency cited a senior official of the authority as reporting.

Vietnam exported 6.37 million tonnes of rice, earning 2.81 billion U.S. dollars, in 2019 and expects to export 6.7 million tonnes of rice this year, according to the Vietnam Food Association.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)