Vietnam Launches 'Green and Low-Emission Rice' Export to Japan

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On June 5, Vietnam will mark a pivotal moment as it launches the 'Green and Low-Emission Vietnamese Rice' trademark on the export market. This milestone debut, with its first shipment destined for Japan, represents a significant leap forward for the country's rice industry, particularly under the banner of the one-million-hectare rice project aimed at sustainable growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030.

Bùi Bá Bổng, Chairman of the Việt Nam Rice Industry Association (VIETRISA), hailed this as a strategic milestone in bolstering the Vietnamese rice brand for high-end markets where strict carbon emission standards prevail. More than just a commercial label, this trademark embodies a firm commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

VIETRISA, guided by Permanent Vice Chairman and General Secretary Lê Thanh Tùng, plans to uphold the integrity of the 'Green and Low-Emission Vietnamese Rice' trademark by issuing certifications to ensure transparency and credibility. In the absence of a national certification for low-carbon rice, companies can self-declare their product's green credentials but will be held accountable for these claims.

In collaboration with the TRVC Project, VIETRISA has already granted usage rights of the trademark to seven enterprises, covering 19,200 tonnes of rice. The Trung An Company, joining forces with Japan’s MURASE Group, will lead the charge by exporting this certified rice to Japan.

The one-million-hectare initiative, developed over the past two years, has yielded fruitful results for both rice grains and farmers. The project's objectives encompass national food security, meeting nutritional needs, enhancing farmers’ incomes, environmental protection, reducing emissions, and sustaining export capabilities.

Backed by Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment, VIETRISA swiftly advanced the 'Green and Low-Emission Vietnamese Rice' trademark to support these goals. To merit certification, enterprises and cooperatives must ensure the traceability of their rice, covering anything from production origin to compliance with technical protocols set by the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection.

Tùng highlighted ongoing efforts, noting that while Vietnam is piloting a system for measurement, reporting, and verification of emissions, a comprehensive structure for payments and valuation won't be ready until 2028. However, the path toward establishing the 'Green and Low-Emission Vietnamese Rice' trademark begins now, symbolising Vietnam's dedication to sustainable agricultural practices.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Asia News 2025-06-05