May 8, 2008
 
China vows to keep grain output above 500 million tonnes
 

China has recently assured that grain output in 2008 would be above 500 million tonnes, the state media reported Thursday.
 
Agriculture minister Sun Zhengcai said that the government would strive to stabilise full year grain output at more than 500 million tonnes, according to the China Securities Journal.
 
Sun added that China has to be highly alert to potential imported grain price rises and unusual changes in grain imports and exports In 2007, the country produced more than 501.5 million tonnes of grain, almost level with the nation's annual consumption of 510 million tonnes, official data showed.

China's inflation, mainly driven by surging food price, reached 8.0 percent in the first quarter of the year.

In February, it climbed to 8.7 percent, the highest in nearly 12 years, before easing slightly to 8.3 percent in March.

Late last year, China scrapped tax rebates for grain exports and levied taxes on grain exports in 2008 to rein inflation and ensure stable domestic food supplies.

Sun further said that rises of farm produce prices are reasonable and controllable.