USDA raised its estimate for India rice output in 2017-18 (Jul-Jun) to 108.0 mln tn, from 106.0 mln tn projected last month. The rise in its production estimate is mainly due to good progress of rains so far in the ongoing sowing season. Farm ministry pegged output for the current crop year 0.65 mln lower than last year at 108.50 mln tn.