Rice produced in South Korea this year reached the lowest level in almost four decades.
 
Statistics Korea said Tuesday that the amount of rice produced in 2017 hit three-point-97 million tons, five-point-three percent down from the year before.
 
That is the lowest output since 1980 when rice crops suffered due to harsh winter conditions.

The statistics agency said production levels have dropped due to government policies aimed at cutting down output as well as a general reduction of rice cultivation areas.

The rice growing area dropped from 779-thousand hectares last year to 755-thousand hectares this year.