Vietnam: we can steal rice-exporting crown in 2012

In our recent Rice 2.0 series, we hinted that Vietnam could very well beat out Thailand to become the world's top rice exporter.

Severe floods and a government scheme to buy up as much grain as farmers can produce — and thus their loyalty — has already cut down on Thai exports.

Now, Vietnam experts claim they can out-export Thailand in 2012, according to VietnamNet. Part of their winning strategy, the outlet suggests, could be nosing in on Thailand's coveted high-grade rice market. (Thailand is known for its "fragrant jasmine," the champagne of rice grains.)