BD to see lower rice output this year

Rice production in Bangladesh in 2017-18 is forecast down slightly from a year ago, according to a Feb. 6 Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report from the Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

This year's output of 32.65 million tonnes is predicted lower than the 2016-17 total of 34.57 million tonnes due to heavy rains during a key grain maturing stage.

The report noted that more than 20 inches of rain fell in December, causing damage to the Aman rice crop.

Rice imports for the country in 2017-18 are forecast at 3.4 million tonnes, up from last year's 2.47 million tonnes. The report said increased imports from India are anticipated.