May 27, 2011

China, the world's second-biggest consumer of corn after the US, imported 7,356 tonnes of corn in April, up around 100% from a year earlier, according to statistics released by Hong Kong's Economic Information & Agency.

During the period from January to April, the country's corn import volume was 12,811 tonnes, 32% less than a year ago. China's corn imports recorded sharp increase in January 2010.

China may expand corn planting this year as farmers expect more profit from rising prices. Area planted to corn in China's northeast grain belt may have expanded as much as 10%, analysts said. China's demand for corn will increase faster than supply over the next 10 years, said Shang Qiangmin, director of the China National Grain & Oils Information Centre.

Sales of corn and feed wheat from state stockpiles in China limited price increase to 5% in the domestic market this year. Three northeastern provinces, namely Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning, accounted for 29% of China's corn output of 164 million tonnes in 2009. Corn output was 177 million tonnes in 2010.