August 3, 2005

China expects slightly higher overall grain output this year

China's government expected overall domestic grain output to be slightly higher than the 469.4 million tonnes harvested the previous year.

The country would maintain a balanced supply of grain this year, taking into consideration both grain storage and import, the government said.

China imported 4.36 million tonnes of grain in the first half of this year, a 6.2 percent year-on-year increase.

The government added that for the second half of 2005, domestic grain prices were expected to be stable or marginally fall.