Mongolia’s white rice demand depends 100 percent on imports. The north Asian country consumes an average of 50,000 tons of white rice a year, about 50 percent of which is imported from Vietnam. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, countries have begun to take measures to restrict exports of some food products in accordance with their economic characteristics and there is a potential risk of rice shortages and price rise in Mongolia. Therefore, the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Ch.Ulaan, who is also Head of Mongolia-Vietnam Intergovernmental Commission requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam to assist in maintaining the stability of white rice imports.

Earlier today, (7 May) Ch.Ulaan held a meeting with Ms. Nguyen Thi Doan, Vietnamese Ambassador to Mongolia. During the meeting, Ambassador Doan promised that Mongolia will not be subject to rice export restrictions imposed by the Government of Vietnam until the end of June.

In addition, the two sides also agreed to develop recommendations for the export of heat-processed meat and meat products to Vietnam, and to grant an International Veterinary Certificate for deep-frozen meat electronically.