The average person in much of Asia eats rice two or three times a day. A LOT OF RICE . Contrast this with the average European, who consumes 3 kg per year and the average American, who eats 7 kg.
Most rice is consumed in the country where it is produced.
Only 5 percent of the world s total is exported. The United States is second with nearly 3 million tons, and Vietnam third, with 2 million tons. It takes 5,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of rice. In Asia, planting rice is often a back-breaking chore. Every seedling must be poked into the mud by hand usually by women.