World rice supply set to fall as Asian farmers cut planting
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Apr 30
World rice supply set to fall as Asian farmers cut planting
7 articles · Updated · Reuters · Apr 30
Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia are affected as Iran war disruptions through Hormuz raise fertiliser and fuel costs, while El Nino threatens hotter, drier weather.
The UN FAO warned supplies will tighten in the second half, with Philippine output potentially dropping by 6 million tons and Indonesia's March-May harvest area shrinking 10.6%.
Logistics bottlenecks are already disrupting shipments, though large inventories, including India's record 42 million tons, may cushion losses; FAO says prolonged Hormuz disruption could make the situation serious within weeks.
With the Strait of Hormuz still closed, how long can global rice supplies and prices remain stable before widespread shortages hit?
Could new irrigation technologies and water management in Asia offset the crop risks posed by El Niño and high fertilizer costs?