FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops and Shortages 06/02 - JAPAN (4 June)
Planting of the main rice crop for harvest in October-November is underway. Paddy production in 2001 is estimated to have declined by 4 percent to 11.3 million tonnes reflecting a 2.6 percent reduction in the area planted and a slight decrease in yields. The output from the 2002 wheat crop, due for harvest soon, is provisionally estimated at 0.7 million tonnes, virtually unchanged from last year.
Imports of cereals (mainly maize and wheat) in the marketing year ending September 2002 are estimated at 26 million tonnes, slightly down compared to the previous year. In the current fiscal year ending 31 March 2003, the country has to import a minimum of 682 000 tonnes (milled equivalent) of rice under the Uruguay Round agricultural trade agreement.