Reference Date: 05-December-2023

Planting operations of 2024 first paddy crop recently started

Planting of the 2024 first paddy crop, accounting for about half of the annual production, has recently started. Planting operations are likely to progress at a slow pace due to soil moisture deficits across the major cropping coastal areas, caused by below‑average rainfall amounts since August. Weather forecasts point to a continuation of dry weather conditions between December 2023 and February 2024, raising concerns for the extent of plantings as well as crop development.

Paddy output in 2023 estimated at slightly above‑average level

The 2023 paddy production rebounded to slightly above‑average level of 1 million tonnes mainly due to excellent yields, after having declined in 2021 and 2022 due to excessive rainfall amounts. In the first season, although the extent of sowings was reduced due to saturated soils, yields were excellent, reflecting an increased use of high‑yielding seeds. The government’s efforts to improve crop yields include rehabilitation of dams and irrigation structures, improved paddy pest management (via aerial application of insecticides) and targeted extension services provided to low‑yielding farmers. During the second season, despite dry weather conditions since last August, above‑average yields were obtained, mainly due to adequate availability of irrigation water, secured by above‑average precipitation amounts in May.

Rice exports forecast at average level in 2023

Rice is the country’s most important exportable agricultural commodity and, on average, about half of the annual production is exported. After having declined for the second consecutive year, exports are forecast at a near‑average level in the 2023 marketing year (January/December).

Disclaimer: The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

This brief was prepared using the following data/tools:
FAO/GIEWS Country Cereal Balance Sheet (CCBS) https://www.fao.org/giews/data-tools/en/ .

FAO/GIEWS Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Tool https://fpma.fao.org/ .

FAO/GIEWS Earth Observation for Crop Monitoring https://www.fao.org/giews/earthobservation/ .

Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) https://www.ipcinfo.org/ .