Australia’s Rice Growers Cooperative (RGC) has announced it is to cut 200 jobs and temporarily close its Deniliquin rice mill in New South Wales from April.

Australian rice company Sunrice also announced it was to cut 100 jobs with the permanent closure of its Echuca mill in Victoria.

Sunrice said the closure is needed in order for the company to survive the current drought. Rice production has fallen and the company says the mill cannot sustain normal levels of operation, reported ABC News.