Severe weather conditions have disturbed and delayed agricultural activities in a number of countries in Asia, affecting crop prospects and supplies. In the Southern Hemisphere, the 2000 paddy season has been generally concluded and planting of the 2001 rice crop has started. Overall, global paddy production in 2000 is forecast to decline by 13 million tonnes to 594 million tonnes, about 2 percent less than last season. The contraction reflects a widespread shift towards other crops, induced by the weak rice prices that have prevailed since last year, and weather-related damage in a number of countries. A combination of floods and lower planted area has resulted in an expected 11 million tonne decline in the 2000 paddy output of the region to 541 million tonnes.
Harvesting is on-going in Africa.
While a number of countries such as Egypt, Mali and Nigeria are expected to record increases in output, civil disturbances continue to disrupt planting in Sierra Leone. Cyclones and tropical storms have damaged crops and agricultural infrastructure in Madagascar and Mozambique trimming production in these two countries to the lowest level in the decade. The 2000 season has been concluded in Australia with a decline in paddy production. In the United States, rice output is also expected to fall due to a reduction in planted area. In the EC, paddy output is expected to remain unchanged from the previous year.