May 21, 2010

Adverse weather affects China's rapeseed output

Heavy rain and snow damage China's rapeseed, further threatening an output reduction to less than 10 million tonnes.

One analyst said that rapeseed production this year maybe the lowest level since 2007, when China produced 8.6 million tonnes. Output was 11 million tonnes last year.

Heavy snow in western Gansu province this week destroyed local crops and killed livestock. The snowstorm in Gansu province was the latest in a string of weather events that have hurt crops this year, driving up prices of commodities such as corn. Torrential rain in 10 provinces in southern China will also cut rapeseed output.

The worst drought in more than 50 years in the southwest of the country reduced sugar production, while persistent low temperatures in the north delayed spring planting of corn and soybeans.