November 15, 2012

In the first 10 months of this year, Vietnam spent nearly US$452 million on importing 1.48 million tonnes of corn.

The figure represented on-year rises of 81.2% in value and 99.1% in volume, the General Department of Customs said on a report posted on its website.

In Oct, the country imported 185,320 tonnes worth US$55.86 million, up 12.4% and 12.9% from last month, respectively.

India, Argentina, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and the US were the main suppliers during the first nine months of this year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Vietnam produces around 4.6 million tonnes of corn every year, far from the country's demand for human consumption and animal feeding.

In 2011, the country imported 972,254 tonnes worth US$326.93 million, the customs said.