The Emergency Rice Reserve now maintained by the Association of South East Asian Nations together with China, Japan and South Korea -- in a grouping known as the ASEAN+ 3 -- is expected to increase to about 500,000 MT this year.

The East Asia Emergency Rice Reserve, intended for use during calamities, is currently 337,000 MT, boosted by a commitment Japan made last year to contribute 250,000 MT. South Korea will add another 150,000 MT.