Despite the widespread floods, rice production to increase

Global rice production, is set to increase by three percent, despite the widespread floods that have hit South East Asia. Global production of paddy (unmilled) rice will reach 721 million tons in 2011, which was 2.4 million tons higher than predicted in July, it was also three percent up on the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) forecasts from 2010. "The revision reflects expected improved rice harvests in Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India and Vietnam, which more than outweighed a worsening of prospects in Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Madagascar, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand," the FAO said. Read more ...