Korea's 2026 rice output projected to fall 0.6 percent to 3.52 million tons

South Korea's rice production is expected to fall 0.6 percent to 3.52 million tons this year from 3.54 million tons in 2025, as the area planted with rice dropped to its smallest on record, the National Data Office said Wednesday.

The planted area shrank 1.1 percent to 670,000 hectares from 678,000 hectares, the agency said in its 2026 rice production outlook. It attributed the decline to government programs such as the strategic crop direct payment scheme and a project to convert rice paddies to other crops.

Production per 10 ares rose 0.5 percent to 525 kilograms, as favorable weather during the tillering and grain-filling stages lifted the number of ears per plant and grains per ear. Wet conditions a year earlier had encouraged pests and disease, while sufficient sunshine in September supported grain development this year.

By region, South Jeolla Province and Gwangju together are expected to produce the largest share at 738,000 tons, followed by South Chungcheong Province with 689,000 tons and North Jeolla Province with 533,000 tons.

On an alternative milling basis of 90.4 percent, the agency put this year's crop at 3.42 million tons, down 0.6 percent from 3.44 million tons last year.

The preliminary estimate was based on a sample survey conducted from Sept. 10 to Sept. 22, the office said. The figures will be finalized when the results of the rice production survey are published in November.