SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — South Korean grain production in 2018-19 fell by 12% from the previous year to an estimated 4.9 million tonnes, according to a Jan. 23 Global Agricultural Information Network report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The USDA said the production decrease was driven by prolonged dry spells, abnormally high temperatures, floods and limited supplies of agricultural inputs.

Rice production declined by 12% from the previous year to 2.38 million tonnes and corn output fell 15% to 1.9 million tonnes due to lower acreage in tandem with lower yields, the USDA said.

The report said the country’s total grain production in 2017-18 was revised down to 5.5 million tonnes, a decline of 4% from initial estimates.

South Korea imported an estimated 10 million tonnes of corn in 2018-19, according to the USDA, making it the world’s fourth largest importer.