Global Rice Production Set to Fall for First Time in Decade

Global rice production is set to decline for the first time in a decade, tightening supplies of one of the world’s major food staples.

Output in the coming 2026-27 season is seen at about 538 million tons, the first decrease in 11 years, the United States Department of Agriculture said in a global crop report on Tuesday. The largest declines are seen in India, Myanmar and the US, where the harvest is seen falling 15% from last year as farmers plant less. Combined with record consumption and trade, that will curb global stockpiles.