Downtrend Seen in China's Summer Grain Output

China's summer grain output has slightly declined, ending six years' consecutive bumper harvest.

China's summer grain output has slightly declined, ending six years' consecutive bumper harvest, Caijing learned from the Ministry of Agriculture.

The summer grain output stands at 123 million tons, slightly down from 123.35 million tons of the same period of last year, the ministry said.

China has suffered the most natural disasters this year, hitting a historic level in 60 years, said Li Maosong, a senior researcher with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

"Wheat crops (a major product of summer grain) have been affected by persistent cold weather, as well as severe drought and floods that had ravaged wheat-producing areas in east China," Mr. Li said.

"The whole year's production will also be affected," he added.

Sources from the Ministry of Agriculture told Cajing that considering unfavorable weather conditions this year, the harvest is not easy. When asked about the reasons, he described them as "unusual strong policy support and administrative promotion."