September 9, 2004

China Aims To Increase Soybean Production

The Chinese Government has taken a number of measures to increase soybean production and raise the sown acreage of the crop.

The measures include a scheme to reinvigorate soybean production in Northeast China, the country's leading grain production base.

The scheme has resulted in a positive outcome, with a marked improvement in quality, as well as increased output and sown acreage.

China has become the world's biggest soybean importer, due to falling production and surging demand in recent years.

China's current annual demand for soybean is 22 million tons, but the country's actual output every year is around 15 million tons, said Chang Ruzhen, chairman of the Soybean Committee of the China Crops Society.

The country produced 16.3 million tons of soybeans and imported 20.7 million tons in 2003.