FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/01 - CHINA (6 November)

CHINA (6 November)

Owing to favourable weather conditions, 2001 wheat production is forecast at around 93.9 million tonnes, down by 5.7 percent from 2000. This includes 87.5 million tonnes of winter crop and 6.3 million tonnes from the spring crop.

This year’s rice crop estimated at around 180 million tonnes (122.6 million tonnes in milled terms) will be the smallest in seven years, due to unfavourable weather and low prices. Rice area at 28.2 million hectares, is the lowest on record and is 6 percent smaller than last year. Drought delayed planting and germination and affected yields in many areas. Excessive rainfall along the southern coast may have affected yields. Yields for this year's crop were estimated at 6.34 tonnes per hectare, similar to last year and only slightly below the five-year average.

China's 2001 maize production has been forecast at 110.2 million tonnes, which is around 4 percent above last year but much below the average of last 5 years of 120 million tonnes.

It is expected that the country will import a total of 5.8 million tonnes of cereals for 2001/02 out of which around 2.2 million tonnes is barley and some 2 million tonnes is wheat along with rye and rice.