Shcherbenko Maria

The End of the “Rice Miracle” – or its New Breath? The Transformation of Rice’s Role in the Economy of Modern Vietnam

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2026, №2(71), 219-235

 
Annotation: Thanks to agrarian reforms in the late 20th century, Vietnam transformed from a rice-importing country into one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of rice, achieving the so-called “rice miracle”. However, current state strategies for the industry’s development envisage a reduction in rice acreage, production, and exports. This article analyzes the reasons behind this turnaround: the exhaustion of intensive growth potential, declining profitability, environmental consequences of chemicalization, climate risks for the Mekong and Red River deltas, intensified competition on global markets. An assessment of the state’s response to these challenges is provided. The article concludes that the rice industry of the SRV is undergoing a structural transformation, and the “rice miracle” is moving to a new stage of development focused on premium rice varieties and organic, low carbon production.

Keywords: Vietnam, rice, rice cultivation, agriculture, agrarian policy, sustainable development, agricultural exports