India's rice output is expected to fall this year for the first time in a decade
and by the largest margin in 16 years, the All India Rice Exporters Association
said. Association chairman B.V. Krishna Rao said reduced monsoon rainfall will
cut output by about 10.0 mln tonnes from last year's record 154.0 mln tonnes, a
decline of roughly 6.5% and the biggest since 2009-10. India Meteorological
Department data show nationwide rainfall since the June monsoon onset is about
15% below normal, with deficits up to 42% in some rice-growing states. Rao said
weeks of dry conditions have significantly weakened production prospects in
several southern and eastern states.
