Attractive Prices Expected to Drive Rice Output in Cambodia, says FAO
Published on: June 15, 2024.
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FAO Expects Attractive Prices to Boost Rice Output in Cambodia
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), world rice production is expected to reach a record 534.9 million tonnes in the 2024/25 season, with a 0.9 percent increase from the previous year. The FAO predicts that Asia will account for much of this growth, with an overall harvest increase of 0.6 percent to 478.9 million tonnes.
The biannual report states that countries such as Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines are expected to gather record crops due to improved growing conditions and strong government support. Additionally, attractive prices are anticipated to lead to production boosts in Cambodia, Nepal, and Pakistan. The FAO also predicts that mainland China’s rice-growing area will expand after three years of cutbacks, and production will recover in Iraq, Iran, and Türkiye.
However, the outlook is less positive for other Asian countries. Thailand may experience planting delays due to early season dryness and uncertainties surrounding government support reforms. South Korea, Myanmar, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and Indonesia are also expected to have smaller crops, mainly due to unseasonable dryness associated with El Niño conditions in Indonesia.
In terms of rice exports, Vietnam’s prospects are “downcast,” Myanmar’s are “below potential,” and Thailand’s may remain close to the strong 2023 levels, according to the FAO. On the other hand, Cambodia has positive export prospects due to strong cross-border demand from Vietnam for domestic consumption and re-export.
The FAO expects Cambodia’s rice production to increase by 1.8 percent to 7.9 million tonnes this year, making it the tenth-largest rice producer globally, surpassing Brazil and Japan. Mainland China is forecasted to be the largest producer in the season, followed by India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Pakistan.
Source: [KHMERTIMESKH](https://www.khmertimeskh.com)
