Forecast for rice production in 2012 is lower, says FAO

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The forecast for rice production in 2012 has been reduced by close to eight million tonnes, according to the July Rice Market Monitor released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Monday.

In April, the forecast for the global production of rice was more than 732 million tonnes but now it is expected to be 724.4 million tonnes.

Dianne Penn reports.

FAO says the main cause for the decline is the below normal monsoon rains in India.

The forecast for other countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America is better, with Africa expected to register a three per cent increase in its rice production.

The forecast for Australia's harvest is 32 per cent higher than last year.

FAO says that overall, Asia accounts for the lion's share of global rice production of 657 million tonnes in 2012.

Dianne Penn, United Nations.

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