On the sidelines of APEC in South Korea, Singapore secures its first rice trade pact to bolster food security.

Singapore has taken a strategic leap to secure its rice supply by signing its first-ever rice trade pact with Vietnam, reinforcing food resilience amid growing global uncertainties.

First-of-Its-Kind Agreement Signed at APEC

On October 30, 2025, Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu and Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien signed a landmark Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Gyeongju, South Korea. The deal ensures unimpeded rice exports from Vietnam to Singapore upon request, especially during supply disruptions.

The agreement, Singapore’s first such MOC with any partner, aims to strengthen bilateral food security and reduce the risk of trade restrictions impacting staple food supplies.

A Strategic Move for Food Resilience

Singapore, which imports over 90% of its food, views this partnership as critical. “Securing global and regional partnerships is essential for ensuring a stable supply of rice for Singapore,” said Minister Fu. The deal not only protects Singapore during times of crisis but also promotes a stable and sustainable trade relationship with Vietnam.

The MOC outlines that Vietnam will facilitate mutually agreed quantities of rice exports on specific terms, highlighting trust and cooperation between the two nations.

Part of a Broader Strategic Partnership

The agreement is a practical implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between Singapore and Vietnam, upgraded in March 2025. Vietnam’s Minister Dien noted that this move reflects ASEAN’s shared goal of strengthening food security and supply chain resilience.

Dien emphasized, “Enhancing rice trade cooperation is a tangible demonstration of our joint efforts to ensure supply chain resilience and food security within ASEAN.”

Rice Trade Landscape in Singapore

In 2024, Singapore imported approximately US$94.2 million worth of rice from Vietnam, up from US$73.4 million in 2023. This accounted for nearly one-third of Singapore’s total rice imports, which reached US$322 million that year.

Vietnam ranks as Singapore’s second-largest rice supplier after India. Thailand holds the third position. Combined, the three countries supplied nearly 94% of Singapore’s rice by volume.

Safeguarding Against Global Disruptions

With the global food supply chain increasingly vulnerable to disruptions from climate change, conflict, and export bans, this agreement adds a critical layer of protection for Singapore. It provides a dependable fallback mechanism in times of crisis and ensures continued access to essential food supplies.

The Singapore–Vietnam rice trade pact represents a vital move toward long-term food security in Southeast Asia. As Singapore diversifies and stabilizes its food sources, the deal also strengthens regional economic ties and sets a precedent for resilient trade strategies within ASEAN. In an era marked by volatility, this agreement offers a template for other nations seeking to safeguard essential supply chains through diplomacy and strategic cooperation.

Sources: The Business Times (2025) , The Straits Times (2025)

Keywords: Singapore Rice Import, Vietnam Rice Export, Grace Fu, Rice Trade Agreement, Food Supply Chain, APEC South Korea