August 20, 2010

China may hit 2010 grain output target

China is very likely to see a bumper harvest this year, a hope that brings it closer to achieving its annual grain production target of over 500 million tonnes set by the government at the beginning of the year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

However, this is provided that the field management of mid-term and late rice is well conducted and major meteorological disasters are not encountered, the ministry said.

The planting area and production of autumn grain accounts for over 70% of China's grain production for the entire year, so whether the annual grain production target can be realised is mainly up to autumn grain production.

So far, China's autumn grain is growing well.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, China's 2010 autumn grain planting area is estimated at 1.149 billion mu (76 million hectares), an increase of 13 million mu (866,667 hectares), including the planting area of corn estimated at 12 million mu (800,000 hectares).