India’s basmati rice output in 2017-18 (Jul-Jun) fell 8.3% on year to 5.6 mln tn and acreage was down 7.7% at 1.55 mln ha. Output declined as farmers shifted from basmati to non-basmati rice and also to other profitable crops such as cotton and sugarcane. Deficit rainfall in key basmati-producing states Uttar Pradesh and Haryana is likely to lead to a shortfall.