[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] This year’s expected rice production is forecasted to decrease by 2% compared to last year, reaching 3,804,000 tons.
According to the '2022 Rice Expected Production Survey Results' announced by Statistics Korea on the 7th, this year’s expected rice production (at 92.9% milling rate) is projected to decline from 3,882,000 tons last year to 3,804,000 tons, a 2% decrease.
Rice production peaked at 4.33 million tons in 2015, then dropped below 4 million tons starting in 2017 (3.97 million tons). It further decreased to 3.51 million tons in 2020, but rebounded to 3.88 million tons last year for the first increase in six years. However, a slight decrease is expected again this year.
The rice cultivation area is expected to decrease by 0.7%, from 732,477 hectares last year to 727,158 hectares this year. Yield per 10 ares (at 92.9% milling rate) is estimated to decline by 1.3%, from 530 kg to 523 kg.
Statistics Korea explained, "Due to policies adjusting rice cultivation areas (such as support for cultivating alternative crops) and the decline in rice prices, the rice cultivation area is expected to slightly decrease this year." They further analyzed, "During the tillering period (June to July), a lack of rainfall reduced the number of panicles per plant," and "During the grain formation period (July to August), insufficient sunlight and rainfall led to a decrease in the number of fully developed grains."
By region, the expected rice production is highest in Jeonnam (740,000 tons), Chungnam (735,000 tons), and Jeonbuk (619,000 tons). In terms of growth rate, only Jeju (22.9%), Jeonbuk (4.2%), Gyeongbuk (1.7%), and Daegu (1.5%) are expected to see an increase in production compared to last year.
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