DHAKA: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in its report on Bangladesh said total rice area and production levels are forecast to increase to 11.7 million hectares (HA) and 34.7 million metric tons (MMT) respectively.

The growth is due to a recovery from last year’s Boro and Aman crop losses and an expected higher price.

The report is projected a time period between May of 2018 and April of 2019. 

For, MY 2018/19, rice imports are forecast to fall to 0.8 MMT due to higher domestic production while assuming favorable weather conditions.

Wheat area and production in MY 2018/19 are forecast to increase to 370,000 HA and 1.18 MMT, assuming favorable prices and good weather.

For MY 2018/19, wheat imports are forecast at 6.5 MMT because of further diversification in the food processing industry, and changing food habits of a growing population.

In MY 2018/19 corn area and production are forecast at 448,000 HA and 3.5 MMT due to farmers’ interest in meeting an increasing demand in the animal feed sector.

As a result, corn imports in MY 2018/19 are forecast down to 1 MMT due to an expected increase in domestic production.

BDST:  1419 HRS, MAR 27, 2019

AH/SMS