Rice output may drop due to weather and lower sowing area

A 13% monsoon deficit, lower sowing area, and possible super El Nino could affect foodgrain output, especially rice. This may lead to lower rice production and higher prices.

Rice prices have already risen by 12% year-on-year, with some varieties increasing sharply. Paddy area declined by 4% to 42.68 million hectares in the kharif season of 2026 compared to the previous season.