China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced on Saturday that the country has achieved another bumper summer grain harvest this year, despite adverse weather conditions affecting per-unit output in some regions.
According to data from the NBS, summer grain output reached 146.13 million tons this year, showing a slight decrease of 0.9 percent or 1.27 million tons compared to the previous year. Wang Guirong, director of the NBS rural division, stated that although there was a slight decrease in output, the overall harvest remains at a relatively high level, indicating a successful bumper harvest.
The yield per hectare for summer grain decreased by 1.2 percent to 5,491.8 kilograms. Wheat, being a major grain, experienced a 1.3 percent decline in harvest per hectare compared to the previous year.
Wang attributed the decline in per-unit output to adverse weather conditions, particularly in parts of Central China’s Henan Province. Extended rainfall in central and northern wheat-growing areas during the grain filling period resulted in insufficient light, ultimately affecting the harvest. Additionally, drought in southwestern regions such as Yunnan Province and Guizhou Province contributed to lower yields.
The sowing areas for summer grain reached 26.609 million hectares, marking a 0.3 percent increase compared to the previous year. Wang attributed the rise in sowing areas to national supportive policies, favorable agricultural conditions, and improved planting structures. For example, the planting areas in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region increased by 4.6 percent to 1.2 million hectares, thanks to optimized water resources.
Wang emphasized that the bumper harvest of summer grain, as the first season of annual grain production, lays a solid foundation for stabilizing the full year’s grain output and supports the country’s sustained economic recovery.
China has been prioritizing food security due to its large population, increasing urbanization, and concerns over arable land preservation. Last month, Chinese lawmakers began deliberating a draft food security law to enhance the country’s capacity to prevent and address food security risks.
In 2022, China achieved its highest-ever annual grain output, reaching 686.5 million tons, representing a 0.5 percent increase compared to the previous year.