On October 25, Zhang Xingwang, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, announced that the country’s grain production is expected to surpass 1.4 trillion jin for the first time this year. This comes after nine consecutive years of maintaining a production level above 1.3 trillion jin.
During a press conference held by the State Council Information Office, Zhang detailed the successes of this year’s agricultural production. He reported that the summer grain harvest, including early rice, has been productive, with a total summer grain output of 299.56 billion jin, marking an increase of 7.25 billion jin from the previous year—the highest growth in nearly a decade. He highlighted that the early rice yield reached 56.35 billion jin, consistently stabilizing above 56 billion jin for four straight years. The area planted with autumn grains has also slightly increased, and notable advancements in yield per hectare have been achieved, with 82.5% of the autumn crops harvested as of October 24, signaling yet another fruitful harvest season.
Moreover, the expansion of soybean and oilseed cultivation has shown promising results, with soybean planting remaining above 15 million acres and a stable output expected to exceed 20 million tons. The areas, yields, and total production of rapeseed have all experienced growth.
Despite facing significant local meteorological disasters this year, which have impacted agricultural production, Zhang stated that overall, the agricultural disaster situation across the country is relatively light compared to previous years. Approximately 13.5 million acres of crops were affected by disasters, which is over 4.4 million acres less than the annual average. Most provinces report increased production, while some regions experienced reductions due to disasters; however, when considering the overall picture, the increase in autumn grain production is evident. Coupled with the summer grain and early rice yields, China is poised for another fruitful harvest.
Zhang also pointed out that the central government’s financial support for grain production has intensified this year, contributing to a stable increase in the area dedicated to autumn crops, particularly high-yield crops like corn. He emphasized the importance of these measures, noting that improvements in yield per hectare are projected to contribute over 70% to the overall increase in grain production.
He cautioned that, although the supply and demand for rice and wheat are relatively balanced, there remains a significant gap between corn production and demand, and the country still relies heavily on imports for soybeans. Overall, the national grain supply and demand situation remains tight, and there must be no relaxation in ensuring a stable and secure grain supply.
