Mainly reflecting a larger area sown, the output of wheat in 2002 is officially estimated at 6.6 million tonnes, some 6 percent higher than both last year and the average of 1997-2001. As a result of a marked increase in the area sown, barley production this year is put at 132 000 tonnes, 40 percent more than the below-average crop harvested in 2001.
The state of the 2002 paddy crop, due for harvest from now until November, is reported to be normal. Area planted to rice is estimated at 594 000 hectares, some 6 percent above last year's below-average level and close to the average of the previous five years. Production is anticipated to be average.
Imports of wheat in 2002/03 (July/June) are forecast to decrease by some 3 percent to 6.3 million tonnes. From 1 July to mid-August 2002 purchases of wheat totalled 0.9 million tonnes. Imports of coarse grains, mainly maize, are anticipated to decrease slightly from the previous year’s level.