USDA Madagascar 2017/18 rough rice production is estimated at 3.5 million metric tons, down 0.2 MMT from last year. The estimated output is below the 5-year average due to a severe drought in the central and northern regions of the country where nearly 80 percent of Madagascar rice is grown. Area is estimated at 2.2 million hectares, down 0.2 million hectares from last year due to the drought. Seasonal rainfall during the first half of the rice growing season (November 2016 through February 2017) was the lowest in the past 36 years. The drought in the central and northern parts of the country reduced planting and significantly reduced yields.