FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
2012 paddy rice production forecast marginally above the record level of 2011
High level of rice exports expected to continue in 2012
Domestic price of rice decreased slightly in recent months after it reached a record level in November 2011
The 2012 paddy rice production forecast to reach new record highs
Harvesting of the 2012 winter/spring season paddy crop is just concluded. Output of this season generally account for about 50 percent of the annual paddy production. According to the General Statistics Office of Viet Nam (GSO) the 2012 winter/spring paddy production is preliminary estimated at a record level of 20.3 million tonnes, some 2.4 percent above last year’s same season bumper output. This reflects an increase in plantings in response of high market prices for the commodity at planting period, coupled with generally favourable weather conditions during the season and adequate input supplies.
Planting of 2012 summer/autumn paddy was completed in June, while that of the 10 th Month crop began in mid-June and will continue into mid-October. These two harvests (summer/autumn in September/October and the 10 th Month in December), make up the other half of the total paddy production. Rains throughout the country, have been so far, beneficial for planting and early planted crops.
The 2012 rice paddy production is expected to continue the steady increasing trend of the past several years and the aggregate output is officially forecast at 42.5 million tonnes, marginally above last year’s record level.
Production of maize in 2012 is expected to increase at 4.8 million tonnes, 3 percent over the previous year’s above-average output.
