Domestic rice production for 2013 has been projected at 7.91 million tons, 20,000 tons less than 2012, as demand for the country's staple food is expected to remain on the downtrend, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said Wednesday.

Rice demand in 2012 and 2013 is projected to total 7.99 million tons and 7.91 million tons, respectively, due to the shrinking population and diet diversification.