July 16, 2010
China sees steady wheat output for 2010
The total wheat output of China, including winter and spring wheat, is expected to hit 115 million tonnes this year, the ministry of agriculture said Friday (July 16).
Chen Mengshan, the ministry spokesman, said annual wheat consumption was about 105 million tonnes, which should ensure sufficient supply. His estimate was in line with a forecast by the official China National Grain and Oils Information Center (CNGOIC) this week, which was even with last year's output.
Mengshan's comments came as domestic wheat prices rose on worries during the harvest that output may be lower and of poor quality due to a cold spring this year. But Chen said the country has expanded high-quality wheat and the "domestic quality was good enough to make the best cakes or bread in the world."
Winter wheat, which accounts for more than 90% of the country's total wheat output, hit 108.8 million tonnes this year. Despite flooding in most of China's south and southwestern provinces, which may hit the paddy crop, Chen said acreage planted with autumn grains, including corn, was higher than last year and crops were growing better so far this year than last year.
"We have minimised the impact from abnormal weather during the sowing season by speeding up planting and timely management. Crops of rice and corn are growing normally and current overall growth is better than last year," said Chen.
Analysts said that larger corn acreage could give China a bumper harvest and slow imports after the world's second-largest corn consumer had imported more than one million tonnes, the largest volume in 15 years.
