More than 15 percent of this decline is also accounted by Japan and South Korea, where rice area goes down in order to be able to abide by GATT minimum import access commitments. Unlike wheat and corn trade, world rice trade is projected to grow slowly in the next decade. Asian countries are expected to capture most of the increased export opportunity mainly because of continued decline in per capita consumption and slower population growth. Thailand is projected to strengthen its position as the largest rice exporter. India, Vietnam, and Pakistan are likely to capture a lion s share of the increased trade.
China continues to remain a small net exporter of rice.
Among Asian importers, Indonesia is projected to be a significant importer of rice, despite GOI s goal to achieve self-sufficiency. Rising per capita consumption in Africa and the Middle East are likely to account for most of the remaining growth in import demand. Rising per capita consumption is also projected to continue for the United States, the European Union, and Latin America, where rice is a nonstaple food. U.S. market share is projected to decline due to rising domestic consumption and slower production growth.