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Asian rice exporters eye flood-hit Bangladesh
Sambit Mohanty
Singapore, Oct 9 Leading Asian rice exporters are hoping that an expected reduction in Bangladesh's rice production due to floods could trigger imports, giving a boost to sluggish international markets. Although, it is too early to quantify the amount of rice Bangladesh would need to import, exporters across Asia said it could be " substantial", but probably less than one mtonnes."Bangladesh will certainly be importing rice in the coming months. But, it will be lower than the production loss. They have some surplus left from last year which they are going to use," said a Singapore grains exporter. Bangladesh is facing production losses of up to one mtonnes after floods in south-western Bangladesh swamped 250,000 hectares of rice fields.Bangladesh produced 25 mtonnes of rice and wheat in 1999-2000 (July-June), against an annual requirement of 21 mtonnes for its 128 million people. (Reuters) Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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