An emergency rice reserve being maintained by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus China, Japan and South Korea, or ASEAN + 3, could be expanded further to around 500,000 MT this year.

The East Asia Emergency Rice Reserve is intended for use in the region during calamities, such as the December 2004 tsunami that ravaged major parts of Southeast Asia.

South Korea's commitment may be finalized in October, when officials from ASEAN +3 are scheduled to meet,. The reserve currently stands at 337,000 MT, following a commitment made by Japan last year to contribute 250,000 MT.