Viet Nam proposes list of fragrant rice for tax incentives

Under the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the European Union grants Viet Nam an annual quota of 80,000 tons of rice, including: 30,000 tons of milled rice; 20,000 tons of unmilled rice; and 30,000 tons of fragrant rice.

Among these, fragrant rice exported to the EU must have a certificate of variety that matches the list of rice varieties specified in the Agreement.

Specifically, nine varieties are eligible for the 0% preferential tariff rate when exported to the EU, including Jasmine 85, ST5, ST20, Nang Hoa 9, VD 20, RVT, OM4900, OM5451, and Tai Nguyen Cho Dao rice.

However, according to Ngo Chung Khanh, Deputy Director General of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), this list was negotiated during 2014-2015 and is no longer appropriate today.

“Some enterprises are facing difficulties when exporting to the EU, because several fragrant rice varieties currently cultivated in Viet Nam are not included in the list agreed upon with the EU,” Mr. Khanh said.

In response to this issue, the Multilateral Trade Policy Department is now proposing that the EU revise the list of fragrant rice varieties to better align with those currently produced in Vietnam.

It is not yet clear which varieties will be selected as replacements. However, according to a report by the Plant Production and Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), the fragrant rice varieties most commonly cultivated in the Mekong Delta today include ST24, ST25, Dai Thom 8, and OM18.

In March 2026, the Crop Production and Plant Protection Department issued certificates of variety for four rice shipments exported to the EU market by two enterprises, totaling more than 380 tons.