Ong Cua ST25 Rice Won Second Place Globally
The Vietnamese rice variety secured a runner-up spot at the 2026 World Rice Conference in Manila.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Organic Food
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Ong Cua ST25 rice achieved second place at the 2026 World's Best Rice competition held in Manila. Myanmar took top honors while the Philippines placed third in the international event.
Why it matters
The annual competition highlights global agricultural excellence and establishes benchmarks for quality in the international rice trade. Success at this event serves as a significant indicator of market prestige for exporting nations.
ST25 rice was developed over 30 years by Ho Quang Cua and maintains trademark protection in the U.S., the UK, the EU, Australia, Hong Kong, and China. The variety previously achieved first place finishes in 2019, 2023, and 2025.
The players
Ho Quang Cua
He is the lead developer of the ST25 rice variety.
World Rice Conference
This annual international event facilitates industry discussions and hosts the competition for the world's best rice.
The details
The judging panel evaluated entries based on raw grain quality and cooked characteristics, including uniformity, length, aroma, texture, and taste. This latest ranking follows a long history of success for the variety, which first placed on the podium in 2017.
Timeline
2017: ST25 rice won third place in the competition.
2019: ST25 rice achieved its first victory.
2023: ST25 rice secured a first place ranking.
2025: ST25 rice won first place again.
October 7-9, 2026: The World Rice Conference occurred in Manila.
Culture Shift
This ranking reflects a growing global focus on premium agricultural branding and the premiumization of staple crops. Following the 2026 World's Best Rice competition, countries are increasingly using these awards to bolster national export profiles and differentiate their varieties.
Consumers seeking high-quality grain may see increased global visibility for the ST25 variety in international markets. The ranking provides a quality assurance metric for buyers interested in award-winning agricultural products.
The takeaway
Recognized rice varieties demonstrate how decades of agricultural research can influence global food rankings and consumer demand. Buyers should note that award-winning status often highlights consistency in grain texture, aroma, and taste across different batches.
Further reading
For more information on global agricultural standards, visit the Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tuoi tre news.
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