China Corn Production May Climb on Area, Center Says

China’s corn production this year may increase 2.5 percent from 2009 to 168 million metric tons as farmers boost plantings, the China National Grain & Oils Information Center said.

The rapeseed harvest may decline by 7.7 percent to 12.6 million tons, while soybean output may drop 3.3 percent to 14.5 million tons, the state-backed market information provider said in an e-mailed forecast. Wheat output may be 115 million tons, the same as last year, while rice production may gain 1.1 percent to 197 million tons, it said.

The following lists production and area numbers.

Unit: 1,000 hectares, 1,000 tons

2007 2008 2009 2010 Change from

LY Area: 　 Estimate Forecast ％

Corn 29,478 29,864 30,460 30,560 0.3% Wheat 23,721 23,617 24,210 24,240 0.1%

Rice 28,919 29,241 29,680 29,870 0.6% Soybean 8,754 9,127 8,800 8,400 -4.5% Rapeseed 5,642 6,594 7,200 7,300 1.4% Output:

Corn 152,300 165,917 163,970 168,000 2.5%

Wheat 109,298 112,463 115,120 115,100 0.0%

Rice 186,034 191,897 195,101 197,340 1.1% Soybean 12,725 15,545 15,000 14,500 -3.3% Rapeseed 10,573 12,102 13,657 12,600 -7.7%

William Bi
Bloomberg