July 19, 2010

South Korea to make pig feed from surplus rice

South Korea may use some of the nation's surplus rice to make animal feed to help stabilise the domestic rice market, according to the farm ministry.

About 360,000 tonnes of rice produced in 2005 may be turned into feed, the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said.

South Korea, which is 99% self-sufficient in rice, imports almost all its needs for corn and wheat, used to make animal feed. Using the rice for feed may reduce demand for overseas shipments of the two grains.

The North Asian nation currently has 1.4 million tonnes of rice in reserves, almost twice the 720,000 tonnes considered adequate for emergencies.