September 7, 2011

China's autumn grain production is forecast to rise about 3% to 560 million tonnes this year thanks to favourable weather during key growth period, an official with the National Meteorological Centre said Monday (Sep 5).

The country is expected to harvest autumn grain crops about two months later. Autumn grain, which mainly includes corn, mid-season and late rice, accounts for about 75% of China's total grain production.

The centre's official Mao Liuxi estimated that soy output this year will fall due to sharp drop in planting area, adding that other major autumn crops including corn, paddy, cotton is anticipated to see a rise in production.

He also predicted that the country's average grain yield will increase over a year earlier and the full year's production is likely to hit a record high.

China has already realised an increase in summer grain production this year. The output stood at 126.27 million tonnes, up 3.12 million tonnes or 2.5% from a year ago.

The nation's grain output hit 546.1 million tonnes last year, up 2.9% over the preceding year.