Strong Market Presence Despite Global Price Fluctuations
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According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore, data from the Singapore Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) shows that in the first six months of 2025, Singapore’s total rice imports reached 248.9 million SGD, up 10.8% year-on-year.
Among the main rice categories, white rice (HS 10063099) continued to dominate with an import value of 130 million SGD (up 83.7%), accounting for 52.4% of Singapore’s total rice imports.
Thai Hom Mali rice (HS 10063040) ranked second, valued at 44.2 million SGD (up 11.8%), followed by fragrant milled rice (HS 10063070) at 27.1 million SGD (down 31%).
Although smaller in scale, other categories such as brown rice (HS 10062090, HS 10062010) saw moderate increases of 5.1% and 7.4%, respectively.
Top Suppliers: India, Thailand, and Vietnam Lead the Market
In the first half of 2025,
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India remained the largest rice supplier to Singapore with 87.8 million SGD (35.3% share), mainly in white riceand parboiled rice.
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Thailand followed with 76.2 million SGD (30.6% share), led by Hom Mali rice.
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Vietnam secured the third position, supplying mainly white rice (HS 10063099) and fragrant milled rice (HS 10063070).
Vietnam’s total rice exports to Singapore reached 60.9 million SGD, accounting for 24.5% of total imports — a 17.1% decline year-on-year, largely due to lower export prices.
According to the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the average export price of Vietnamese rice in the first half of 2025 was 517.5 USD/ton, down 18.4% from 2024.
Vietnam’s Competitive Edge: Quality and Market Share
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White rice (HS 10063099) remains Vietnam’s strongest category, with 38.6 million SGD in exports (up 11.9%), ranking second only to India, which holds 46.7% of the market.
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Fragrant milled rice (HS 10063070) and glutinous rice (HS 10063030) followed, reaching 15.5 million SGD and 4.7 million SGD, respectively.
Despite slight declines, Vietnam continues to lead Singapore’s imports in both categories, with 57% and 61%market shares.
Outlook: Strengthening Bilateral Rice Trade
The Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore anticipates continued competition from India, Thailand, and Japan.
However, the proposed Bilateral Rice Trade Agreement between Vietnam and Singapore is expected to help stabilize supply, ensuring long-term export growth and food security cooperation.