June 8, 2004

China's Summer Wheat Output To Rise By 2.5Million MT

China's wheat to be harvested this summer is expected to rise by 2.5 million metric tons on year, following four years of declines, the Ministry of Agriculture said Tuesday.

China's summer wheat production totaled 96.2 million tons last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

As wheat production usually accounts for 90% of all grains harvested in the summer, the expected increase in wheat production indicates that a bumper summer grains harvest is "assured," said the MOA.

The ministry didn't provide any specific production estimates for wheat and other grains.

It cited supportive government policies implemented this year on top of upgrades in farming technology, fewer plant diseases and favorable weather in the spring for the expected healthy summer grains production.

Earlier this year, the government issued various policies to encourage local farmers to plant more grains following the steady declines in the past few years.

Direct farm subsidies from the government and a lower farm tax were introduced at that time to support all farmers, including those planting grains.