| May 12 2006 | Foreign Rice Output Expected To Rise For 2006/07 |
Foreign milled rice production for 2006/07 is estimated at 410.5 million tons, up 6.1 million or 1.5 percent from last year. The increase is due to a small rise in both estimated area (152.05 million hectares, up 1.5 million) and forecast yield. Production is expected to drop by 300,000 tons in Pakistan due to lower yields (down from last year's record level). In Japan and South Korea, government-mandated area reductions and declining yields are expected to cut production this year. The largest production gains are expected in India (up 2.1 million tons) and China (up 1.6 million). However, the largest percent production increases are expected in Australia and Brazil (both up 9 percent) due to higher forecast yields. Higher production is anticipated in Nigeria (up 100,000 tons) as well as the major rice producers in Southeast Asia, notably Bangladesh (up 800,000 tons) and Cambodia (up 190,000 tons). Only minor year-to-year area and production changes are expected in the EU, other Central and South America countries, the former Soviet Republics, and Africa. (For more information, contact Paulette Sandene at 202-690-0133).
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| Oct 1 1998 | JAPAN: RICE PRODUCTION LOWERED DUE TO EXCESSIVE RAINFALL |
Japan's 1998/99 rice crop is estimated at 7.9 million tons (milled basis), down 1.2 million or 13 percent from last year due to lower yield and area. Estimated yield, at 6.11 tons per hectare, is the lowest in 5 years, but much higher than 1993/94, when yields were seriously affected by cold weather. Harvested area, at 1.8 million hectares, is the lowest area on record and continues a downward trend since 1994/95. The Japanese Government has encouraged farmers to reduce paddy area as a way to cut production and reduce the burden of excessive stocks.
On September 15, Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) lowered the 1998/99 rice crop index from the previous "normal" rating of 99 to the "slightly poor" rating of 98 due to unfavorable weather. Western areas of Japan experienced wet weather since mid-July, and northwestern Japan was hit with very heavy rain from August 25 through August 30. Since the September crop estimate, Japan has continued to experience severe weather. Two powerful typhoons swept across Japan on September 21 and 22, bringing high winds and flooding to 15 western prefectures. Rice quality has been hurt by persistent wet weather this month and drier weather is needed to improve crop conditions and facilitate the harvest.
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| Aug 1 2003 | Japan: Unfavorably Cool and Cloudy Weather Lowers 2003/04 Rice Yields |
Japans 2003/04 rice production is estimated at 7.8 million tons (milled basis), down 0.2 million or 3 percent from last month and down 4 percent from last year. The weather was cool and cloudy during July, particularly in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. Reports indicate crop development was behind schedule and the lack of heat and sunshine created unfavorable conditions for rice entering the flowering stage. (For more information, contact Paulette Sandene at 202-690-0133)
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| Oct 1 2003 | Japan: Poor Rice Crop Expected in 2003/04 |
Japans 2003/04 rice production is estimated at 7.1 million tons (milled basis), down 0.1 million or 1 percent from last month and down 12 percent from last year due to unfavorably wet weather in August and September. The estimated yield of 5.8 tons per hectare (rough basis) is down 12 percent from last year and 11 percent below the 5-year average. This is the lowest area and yield since 1993/94. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the rice yield index was very poor in Hokkaido and Tohoku, which are located in northern and eastern Japan. The crop was rated even lower in the northern prefectures of Aomori, Iwate, and Miyagi, although a near-normal crop was forecast for Akita prefecture in western Japan. (For more information, contact Paulette Sandene at 202-690-0133)
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