Rice is the seed of the grass species Oryza sativa (Asian rice) or Oryza glaberrima (African rice). As a cereal grain, it is the most widely consumed staple food for a large part of the world’s human population, especially in Asia. It is the agricultural commodity with the third-highest worldwide production, after sugarcane and maize, according to 2012 FAOSTAT data.
Egyptian Rice
Almost all rice in Egypt is produced in the valley of Lower Nile River. The main rice producing zones are shown in the following table.
Egyptian Rice Basic Statistics
| 1985 | 1990 | 1995 | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvested area (T ha) | 388.6 | 435.9 | 588.5 | 660.0 |
| Yield (kg/ha) | 5947 | 7266 | 8135 | 9086 |
| Production (T t) | 2311 | 3167 | 4788 | 5996 |
| Imports (t) | 16 | 2443 | 795 | NA |
| Exports (T t) | 16.35 | 75.71 | 156.7 | NA |