USDA estimates 2020/21 Sri Lanka rice production at 3.5 million metric tons milled, up nearly 8 percent from last year. The 8 percent increase is due to increased area harvested and above-average yields. The harvested area is estimated at 1.1 million hectares, up 12 percent from 2019/20. This 12 percent increase is due to government support. Above-average rainfall coupled with improved seed varieties boosted yields slightly above the 5-year average. Yields are estimated to reach 4.59 metric tons per hectare, down 5 percent from 2019/20’s record. (For more information, please contact Arnella.Trent@usda.gov.)