Global rice production is expected to fall in the 2026-27 marketing year, marking the first annual decline in more than a decade and raising concerns about tighter supplies and higher food prices worldwide. USDA forecasts global rice output at about 538 million metric tons, down from the previous year. The largest declines are expected in India, Myanmar and the United States, where farmers are projected to plant fewer acres.
Analysts said rising fertilizer and energy costs linked to conflict in the Middle East have increased production expenses for growers, particularly in Asia. Some farmers are reportedly considering reducing or skipping plantings because rice is a fertilizer-intensive crop. The USDA also warned that lower global production, combined with record consumption and trade demand, could reduce world stockpiles. Wholesale rice prices in Thailand and rice futures in Chicago have already risen sharply in recent weeks.
SOURCE: NAFB News Service
