October 22, 2007

China's 2007 corn output to stay on 2006 levels 

China's corn output this year is likely to be the same or slightly higher than that of last year on increased acreage, the Ministry of Agriculture said Monday (October 22, 2007).

As well as the increased acreage, favorable weather in September will help to offset a drop in unit yield of 3 percent resulting from a severe drought earlier this year, the ministry said in a statement published on its Web site.

China'a corn output last year was 145.48 million tonnes, according to data from China National Grain and Oils Information Centre.

The ministry said domestic corn prices are unlikely to fall by a large extent in the coming months due to increased demand from the feedmeal and industrial sectors.