This Year’s Rice Cultivation Area Hits 'Record Low'... Rice Production Expected to Decrease by 1.2%

Expected Rice Production Volume 3,657,000 Tons

This year, the rice cultivation area is expected to shrink to a historic low of 698,000 hectares. Rice production is projected to decrease by 1.2% compared to the previous year.

According to the '2024 Rice Expected Production Survey Results' announced by Statistics Korea on the 7th, rice production this year is expected to be 3,657,000 tons, down 1.2% (45,000 tons) from last year. Rice production has been declining annually since 2016, except for a brief increase in 2021, and has continued to decrease since 2022.

This year, the rice cultivation area is expected to decrease by 1.5% to 698,000 hectares compared to last year. This is the first time the area has fallen to the 600,000-hectare range, which would mark the lowest level since statistics began in 1965.

An official from Statistics Korea stated, "Due to the rice supply-demand balance policies promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the cultivation area has decreased, leading to an overall decline in production," and added, "The cultivation area is expected to continue shrinking."

By region, Chungnam (725,000 tons), Jeonnam (721,000 tons), and Jeonbuk (559,000 tons) are expected to have the highest rice production this year. Last year, Jeonnam (737,000 tons), Chungnam (727,000 tons), and Jeonbuk (582,000 tons) ranked highest, but the order is expected to change this year.