The National Food Authority (NFA) of the Philippines has approved the import of 200,000 tonnes of rice from Vietnam via a government-to-government (G2G) deal, the Ministry of Industry and Trade reported.

Earlier, both Vietnam and Thailand joined in a bid to supply 500,000 tonnes of 25-percent broken rice to the Philippines.

As Thai suppliers offered the best price for 300,000 tonnes, the NFA Auction Board announced to buy the amount from Thailand, and invited Vietnam to supply the remaining 200,000 tonnes at the same price as Thailand .

The rice is expected to be delivered between October 15 and December 15 this year.-VNA