December 2000
2000/01 World Rice Production Forecast to Fall
World rice production for 2000/01 is forecast at 400.6 million
metric tons (milled basis), down nearly 4.4 million from last
year's output, reflecting a policy shift away from the production
of early season rice in China and lower plantings in some
countries in South America. Southeast Asia has increased
production despite early season weather problems in two of the
areas largest exporters of Thailand and Vietnam. These six
countries in Southeast Asia of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand,
Burma, Philippines, and Cambodia are forecast at a record 90.8
million tons of rice in 2000/01 compared to last year's 90.7
million.