KARACHI: According to a report issued by a US Department of Agriculture attaché in Pakistan, the country’s wheat production for the year 2012-13 has fallen five per cent relative to the previous year’s output.

“Pakistan’s wheat production in marketing year 2012/13 (May/April) is estimated at 23 million tonnes, down 5 per cent relative to previous year’s record harvest of 24.2 million tonnes. Wheat area harvested is witnessing a declining trend and has decreased by 5 per cent during the last two years,” says the report.

It adds: “In MY2012/13 Pakistan is forecast to export 300,000 tonnes of wheat. Pakistan’s MY 2011/2012 rice production is estimated at 6.5 million tonnes, 30 per cent higher than the 2010/11 flood affected production level of 5 million tonnes. MY 2012/13 production is forecast at 6.8 million tonnes.Rice exports in MY 2012/13 are projected at 4 million tonnes based on the expectation of a good harvest.”

Attache reports are not official USDA data.