China: Higher Rice Production in 2005/06
The USDA estimates China rice production
for 2005/06 at 127.4 million tons (182.0 million
tons, rough basis), up more than 2.0 million
from last year. The estimated area
of 29.0 million hectares is up 0.6 million from last year and is the highest area
since 2000/01. Government
incentives, including direct subsidies to rice farmers and the abolishment of
agricultural taxes in most provinces, encouraged farmers to increase rice area
in 2004 and 2005 after dropping to a record-low level of 26.5 million hectares
in 2003. The estimated yield of 6.28
tons per hectare (paddy basis) is down slightly from last year.
China
produces three rice crops a year: a double crop of early and late rice in
southern China
and a single crop of rice in central, Northeast, and Northwest
China. According to the
latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s 2005/06 early
rice crop, harvested in July, dropped by 1.3 percent in 2005 to an estimated 31.8
million tons. The NBS's estimated yield of 5.42 tons per hectare was lower
than last year but close to average.
Single-crop rice, which accounts
for about two-thirds of total production, was harvested in September.
Rainfall was heavier than normal in most single rice areas this summer,
providing abundant moisture for crop development. Tropical storms caused
some crop damage along the east coast and in parts of central China, but flooding was minor and crop losses were relatively insignificant.
Single rice yields in 2005/06 are expected to be close to the 5-year
average.
Harvest is nearly complete for the late rice
crop. Late rice yields
dropped sharply in 2004/05 due to unusually dry autumn weather in southern China. This year, drier than normal weather has been reported in parts
of Guangdong, Hunan, and Zhejiang, but overall conditions are generally favorable and late rice yields
are expected to recover.
Links:
Crop
Explorer
Weather Maps and Graphs
China
Rice - Area, Production and Yield Graphs
China Rice -
Early, Late, and Single Crop Rice data
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