The government has procured 18.9 mln tn rice so far in the 2017-18 (Oct-Sep) marketing year, up 10.4% on year. The procurement was highest in Punjab where the Centre has bought 11.9 mln tn rice so far, up from 11.1 mln tn a year ago. India’s kharif rice output in 2017-18 (Jul-Jun) is seen at 94.5 mln tn, down from 96.4 mln tn produced a year ago. Despite a lower output estimate, the government has set the procurement target for kharif 2017-18 at 37.5 mln tn, against 33.0 mln tn during the previous year.