BANGKOK, THAILAND — Thailand’s rice and corn production is expected to recover from weather and pest problems, according to a March 13 Global Agricultural Information Network report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Thailand’s 2020-21 market year rice production is expected to jump 17% to 21 million tonnes, compared to 2019-20, when the crop struggled with unfavorable weather conditions, the USDA said.

As rice production recovery from 2018-19 and 2019-20 are underway Thailand’s exports of the grain are forecast to increase to 9 million tonnes.

According to the USDA, Thailand’s rice consumption also is expected to increase due to tourism recovery and increased swine feed demand. Market year 2020-21 consumption is forecast to increase to 11.8 million tonnes, up 5% from the previous year.

The country’s corn sector also is recovering and production is ramping back up. Corn production for the marketing year 2020-21 is anticipated to increase to 5.6 million tonnes, a 25% increase compared with the previous year as fall armyworm outbreaks are being contained, the USDA said.

Thailand’s corn feed demand is expected to improve in the marketing year 2020-21 as swine production recovers and growth in the poultry and aquaculture sectors continue.