Pakistan’s rice output is seen at a record 7.5 mln tn in 2017-18 (Nov-Oct), up 300,000 tn from the previous estimate. In 2016-17, the country produced 6.9 mln tn rice, the report said. Rice yields have been increasing over the last 10 years as farmers are cultivating hybrid varieties. Better agronomic practices, aggressive spraying of pesticides, and use of resistant varieties of seed have helped limit bacterial leaf blight disease in recent years. Frequent flooding since 2010 has also enriched soil in key growing areas with nutrients. The country has so far exported 1.2 mln tn rice in the current marketing year, and total exports for the year are likely to be around 4.0 mln tn.