Rice production this year totaled about three-point-54 million tons, down 40-thousand tons from last year and the second-smallest volume to date.

According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics on Thursday, the annual output fell one-point-three percent year-on-year to three-point-54 million tons, marking the fourth straight year-over-year decrease.

The year's production is the second-smallest count since 3.51 million tons were recorded in 2020.

The agriculture ministry attributed the decline to brown spots on rice and reduced sunshine during the rainy fall season.

The ministry initially anticipated a surplus of around 165-thousand tons, but since total output has underperformed expectations, it plans to reevaluate supply and demand.