Grain output has further room to increase
Updated: 2013-02-01 15:55
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
BEIJING - China still has potential to increase its grain output as long as it increases efforts to boost agricultural infrastructure construction and technology, an official said on Friday.
Although China's grain imports increased last year, its major cereal products were basically self-sufficient because of balanced market supply and demand, Tang Renjian, deputy director of the office of the leading group on rural work under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, said at a press conference.
China's grain imports will see changes in terms of product variety, but import volumes will stay stable for a relatively long time in the future, Tang said.
Continuous increases in grain output in past years have mainly been attributed to technological advances, said Chen Xiwen, deputy director of the leading group on rural work.
Chen said the construction of water conservancy infrastructure and an emphasis on advancing agricultural technology will help ensure greater yields on limited farmland.
Customs data showed that China's rice imports more than quadrupled from the previous year to reach 2.32 million tonnes in 2012, triggering worries regarding their possible impact on the global grain market.
In the context of economic globalization, moderate imports of short-supplied grain products will help stabilize domestic prices, which is beneficial to both China and overseas sellers, Chen said.
Chen said lower grain prices on the overseas market have made imports more beneficial to domestic buyers, which led to an increase in imports of grain, especially rice, last year.
In south China's Guangdong province and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, imported rice prices were about 20 percent lower than those in the domestic market last year, according to Chen.
The share of rice imports accounted for less than 2 percent of China's rice output, meaning a higher self-sufficiency rate, Chen said.
The rise in rice imports will not threaten global food security because the imports only account for a small share of international rice trade, as well as domestic production and consumption, the Ministry of Agriculture said last week.
Related Readings
Grain harvest likely to rise again this yearGrain supply concerns amid rapid urbanization
China allocates funds for spring grain production
China dismisses grain concerns as imports surge
Related Stories
Grain harvest likely to rise again this year 2013-01-29 10:52
Grain supply concerns amid rapid urbanization 2013-01-29 10:22
China allocates funds for spring grain production 2013-01-22 09:55
China dismisses grain concerns as imports surge 2013-01-16 17:34
Grain supply concern amid fast urbanization: report 2013-01-15 20:29
Farmer comments on grain prices at news conference 2012-12-26 10:35
Today's Top News
Police continue manhunt for 2nd bombing suspect
H7N9 flu transmission studied
8% growth predicted for Q2
Nuke reactor gets foreign contract
First couple on Time's list of most influential
'Green' awareness levels drop in Beijing
Palace Museum spruces up
Trading channels 'need to broaden'
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Poultry industry under pressure |
'Spring' in the air for NGOs? |
Boy set to drive Chinese golf |
Latest technology gets people talking |
Firms crave cyber connection |