April 27, 2026 HANOI/SINGAPORE – Mr Nguyen Thanh Giang and other rice farmers in Binh Thanh, in Vietnam’s southern An Giang province, harvested their spring crop earlier in April. As the province lies on the Mekong River Delta, they usually grow three crops a year back to back, making use of the fertile soil brought by the mighty river. “We have yet to sell our rice, but so far, the buying prices have stayed the same as in 2025, while production costs are much higher,” said the 50-year-old, pointing to the doubling of diesel prices, as well as increased prices of other commodities. “Some of us are seriously considering not growing the next crop,” said Mr Giang. Similarly, rice farmers and exporters in Thailand – one of the top three rice exporters in the world along with Vietnam and India – are also feeling the strain from rising prices. Thailand’s target is to export seven million tonnes of rice globally in 2026, but the Middle East war has turned the world topsy-turvy with ...