Rice crop hit by drought

CURRY and chips could replace curry and rice for UK takeaway diners as a drought crisis hits supply and prices rise.

Global rice supplies are under threat amid fears over decimated crops in Thailand.

Thailand, the world's largest rice exporter, faces an increasing water crisis amid the worst drought in nearly two decades.

Chanchai Rakthananon, president of the Thai Rice Mills Association, said that rice output for the next crop cycle, ending in August, could fall to as little as two million tonnes from a previously forecast five million tonnes.