Vietnam witnessed a sudden rise in the export of rice and medical masks during the first five months of the year, according to statistics released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

In total, the country exported more than 321 million medical masks throughout the reviewed period, with up to 180 million masks being shipped abroad during May alone following the lifting of restrictions regarding the export of medical masks. 

This figure represents a 1.3-fold-increase in comparison to the total export volume during the four-month period.

In recent times, medical masks have started to be regarded as a special export item since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic began in China before spreading globally.

Within the domestic market, the price of face masks has remained stable and they are being widely sold at various distribution channels at reasonable prices.

In addition to the sale of medical masks, the country also shipped large quantities of rice abroad during the reviewed period, with the rice export volume reaching approximately 954,000 tonnes in May alone, making over US$492 million, representing an increase of over 87% in volume and a 93% boost in value compared to the previous month.

Indeed, the average export price of rice reached more than VND11.8 million per tonne during the five-month period, far higher than around 10 million per tonne that was seen during the same period last year.

By the end of May, rice export volume stood at 3 million tonnes, grossing US$1.5 billion in revenue, whilst the average export price reached more than VND11.5 million per tonne.

The largest quantities of Vietnamese rice products were exported to the Philippines, with more than 374,000 tonnes shipped there in May, exceeding US$183 million in turnover, making up 39% of the total export volume and with an average selling price of VND11.2 million per tonne.

Overall, the nation shipped 1.3 million tonnes to the Philippines during the five-month period, accounting for more than 43% of the total export volume with an average price of only VND10.5 million per tonne.

May saw the country export 155,200 tonnes to the Chinese market at a selling price of VND14.6 million, bringing the total export volume to the market to nearly 430,000 tonnes over five months with the average rice export price to China reaching VND13.7 million per tonne.