July 4, 2006

China 2006 soybean output likely to fall 2.7 percent

China's soybean output is expected to fall 2.7 percent this year to 15.9 million tonnes, with acreage sliding 5.1 percent to 9.1 million hectares, China's National Grain and Oils Information Centre (NGOIC) said Monday (Jul 3).

Wheat production, however, is expected to continue to rise, to 103.1 million tonnes, up 5.8 percent from 2005, with growing areas up 2.1 percent at 23.27 million hectares, according to a report released by the centre.

The report did not provide any reasons for the expected changes in both soybeans and wheat.

The following table includes the NGOIC's estimates in July of this year's output and acreage of major crops. (The estimates are due to be released at the beginning of every month.)

           2006 Output      Change         2006 Area        Change

            in tonnes         on-year        in Hectares       on-year

Soybeans  15,900,000    -2.7 percent      9,100,000     -5.1 percent

Corn      142,000,000    +1.9 percent     26,900,000    +2.1 percent

Wheat    103,100,000    +5.8 percent     23,270,000    +2.1 percent

Rapeseed  12,200,000    -6.5 percent      6,740,000     -6.9 percent

Rice       184,390,000    +2.1 percent     28,930,000    +0.4 percent