USDA Tweaks World Rice Estimates

WASHINGTON - Apr 10/07 - SNS -- Global production, imports, and exports are raised slightly from last month, while beginning stocks, consumption, and ending stocks are lowered slightly, according to the latest projections from the USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board.

Global production is raised less than 100,000 metric tons (MT) on a number of nearly offsetting changes. On the plus side, production is raised for Egypt, Cote D'Ivoire, Burma, Nigeria, and Venezuela, while production is lowered for Pakistan, Japan, and Argentina.

Exports are raised for Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam and lowered for Burma. Imports are increased for Colombia, Iraq, and the United States. Global ending stocks are projected at 78.9 million MT, about 200,000 MT below last month, and 2.6 million MT below 2005-06.

The slight decline in ending stocks is due primarily to decreases for India, Thailand, and Vietnam; which is nearly offset by increases for Egypt, Cote D'Ivoire, Burma, and Nigeria.

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