RICE

摘要

Since the last report, FAO's production forecast for the aggregate 2004 paddy crop has been cut by 5 million tonnes to 605 million tonnes (404 million tonnes in milled rice equivalent), as the effects of weather problems late last year were better quantified, particularly in Cambodia, China (Mainland) and Laos, However, despite the recent reduction, world paddy production in 2004 would still be 3,8 percent larger than in 2003 and the second highest on record. Among the main producers, China will endthe season with a 12 percent rise in output despite the recent drought-incurred losses to the late rice crop. By contrast, in India the crop is forecast to decline slightly from 2003 due to localized droughts and floods.