May 11, 2004

China's Henan Province Winter Wheat Crop Output Set To Increase

The winter wheat crop in Henan, China's top wheat producing province, is in good condition, according to a report from China's National Bureau of Statistics.

Output in Henan this year is expected to increase from last year's level provided there is no severe weather damage this month, said the report.

The report, however, didn't give an estimate of this year's expected output.

Henan harvested about 23.30 million metric tons of winter wheat last season, local traders said, citing figures from a government-backed grain think tank.

The National Bureau of Statistics didn't provide an estimate for production in the last season.

As of late April, 50% of the winter wheat crop in Henan was in good condition, while another 34% was in fair condition, said the report, citing satellite surveillance data.

China's winter wheat crop, planted in the fall of last year, will be harvested in June.

Widespread precipitation during the week-long Labor Day holiday in the western and northern wheat producing regions of Henan province have greatly relieved drought concerns, the report said.

The recent rain has also improved soil moisture reserves and could benefit the planting of spring crops.

In the July 2003-June 2004 marketing year, China's winter wheat production is projected to be 81 million tons, according to official estimates.