Rice output could decline to below 18 million metric tonnes after the quantitative restriction on rice is scrapped on June 30. Rice output in MY 2017-2018 could settle at 17.93 MMT, lower than the 18.52 MMT projected for the current marketing year 2016-17 which would end on July 31. The projected decline in unmilled rice output, the imports could double to 2 MMT during MY 2017-18. Rice farmers are expected to shift to planting corn that local corn output could reach 8.3 MMT in 2017-18 which is 2% higher than the 8.1 MMT estimated output in 2016-17. In 2017/18, corn production will likely increase due to firm feed demand by the expanding domestic livestock and poultry industries. and also, this increase in corn production in the country imports could decline to 500,000 metric tonnes in 2017-18 from 600,000 metric tonnes in 2016-17.