China '09 summer grain output expected above 122 million tonnes

China's summer grain output in 2009 is expected to exceed 122.5 million tonnes, marking a sixth consecutive year of growth, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Friday, citing Agricultural Minister Sun Zhengcai.

China's summer rapeseed output is expected to be above 13 million tonnes, up more than 10 percent from a year ago, said Sun, according to Xinhua.

Summer grains normally account for around 23 percent of China's total grain output, which came to 528.5 million tonnes in 2008, up 5.4 percent on year.

Sun also said a series of weather-related problems, including heavy drought in southern China and widespread crop diseases in some major wheat growing areas, may have a negative impact on the country's autumn grain production.