JAPAN (18 February)
The main rice crop sown in May-June was harvested in October-November and the wheat crop sown in September-October will be collected in June-July. Reflecting favourable growing conditions, above average yields for the 2002 paddy crop are estimated in most areas. However, as part of the rice area adjustment programme, the output of paddy is estimated to decline by two percent from the 11.3 million tonnes (8.2 million tonnes milled rice) harvested in 2001. Wheat production in 2002 is estimated at 0.7 million tonnes, virtually unchanged from the previous year.
The import requirement for cereals in 2002/03 (July/June) is provisionally estimated at 26.5 million tonnes (coarse grains 19.9 million tonnes, wheat 5.9 million tonnes and rice 0.7 million tonnes) unchanged from the previous year.
The Government is planning to terminate the current 30 year-old rice production control programme by 2008. A new system will be introduced for which producers and agricultural organizations would determine their own rice output. In fiscal year 2003 the Ministry of Agriculture would be cutting back on the area under rice cultivation by another 50 000 hectares to reach the area reduction target of 1.06 million hectares.