LAOS (31 July)
Planting of the 2003 paddy crop has been completed and is due for harvest from the end of September through December. This crop accounts for about 85 percent of annual cereal production and is predominantly grown in the Mekong River basin. The 2003 paddy output is forecast at 2.5 million tonnes, up some 3.7 percent from the previous year, reflecting the recovery in rice area. 2003 rice import requirement is projected to fall to 30 000 tonnes, same level as previous year.