Grain: World Markets and Trade
Foreign Agricultural Service Circular Series
FG 09-04
September 2004 

China To Be Net Grain Importer,
As Supplies Continue to Fall

China this year is expected to return as a net grain importer for the first time in nearly a decade as production, although up, remains below consumption and supplies continue to tighten. For wheat, exports have slowed considerably in recent months while imports have surged to nearly a million tons a month. Despite large imports and higher production, stocks are expected to continue to shrink, albeit at a much slower rate than in previous years. For corn, despite the recent approval of 3 million tons of export quotas, the government appears to be no longer intent on supporting exports with subsidies, without which exporters cannot compete in the international market. Since the announcement of the quotas last month, both JGG and COFCO (the only two state-authorized exporters) have been slow in signing up new contracts. For rice, although production is expected to increase, exports will drop below traditional levels. Shipments in the last few months have nearly disappeared as it seems the government has turned its focus to supplying the domestic rather than the international market.

Complete Grain Report in PDF: Text and Tables

All Grain Summary Tables: Foreign Countries and US Data

• Adobe Acrobat Format
• Excel Spreadsheet Format

World Markets and Trade: Commentary and Current Data

Wheat Commentary	[Text]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]
Wheat Data Tables	[Excel Spreadsheet Format]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]
Rice Commentary	[Text]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]
Rice Data Tables	[Excel Spreadsheet Format]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]
Coarse Grains Commentary	[Text]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]
Coarse Grains Data Tables	Excel Spreadsheet Format]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]

Historical Data Tables: Selected Regions and Countries

• Adobe Acrobat Format
• Excel Spreadsheet Format

Notice to readers: 
Beginning January 2004, printed versions of the Grain: World Markets and Trade circular are no longer published.  The online issue of the circular, which includes Summary Tables, Situation and Outlook reports, and Historical Data Series for Selected Regions and Countries, is available via the FAS Web site (http://www.fas.usda.gov/grain/).

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Data in this report is available in both Adobe Acrobat and Excel spreadsheet formats. You may need to Get the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Last modified: Thursday, November 13, 2003