(By Rice Planet) The rice harvest in Argentina registers an estimated drop of 18% in total production, despite maintaining yields per hectare above historical averages in various producing areas. According to a report from the Cereals Exchange of Entre Ríos, the decline is not due to productivity issues, but rather to a smaller planted area, conditioned by economic and climatic factors since the beginning of the cycle. In coastal provinces like Entre Ríos and Corrientes, producers report good results in the field, with yields that in some cases exceed 7,500 kg per hectare, in addition to adequate plant health and grain quality. However, the increase in operating costs, especially in essential inputs such as diesel and electricity for irrigation, has led many farmers to reduce the cultivated area or to migrate to alternatives such as soybeans, with a more predictable cost structure. This situation has been exacerbated by water uncertainty during the planting period, as water ...