Monsoon improves India’s maize, rice crop forecasts

The 2025 southwest monsoon in India has been timely, uniform and quite abundant, which contributed to an increase in the area under the fall crop, in particular for rice and corn, according to a report by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture.

According to FAS, in most regions of the country, the amount of precipitation was at or above normal (32 districts), and only four districts experienced a moisture deficit. By August 14, water reserves in reservoirs exceeded last year’s figures by more than 7% and the average values ​​for the past decade by almost a quarter.

“Projected good rains in September will further increase water levels in reservoirs, which will provide sufficient irrigation water for both the current fall crops and the upcoming winter crops,” the FAS noted.

If normal weather conditions persist, the rice harvest is expected to be at a record level of 151 million tons. However, heavy rains, flooding during harvesting or coastal cyclones could worsen the outlook.

Rice exports are expected to remain at a record 25 million tonnes, according to FAS, due to ample domestic stocks and lower domestic prices.

Maize production is forecast to increase to 43 million tonnes, due to expanded plantings and high yields from a favourable 2025 monsoon.

Tags: corn, rice, India, crop condition