FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 06/99 - CHINA (2 June)
Low temperatures, approximately one degree centigrade below last year, in Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces in north east are reported to have delayed planting and development of spring crops. Both provinces are important maize producers. Improved weather conditions in the later part of May, however, favoured crops, suggesting that 1999 maize production could be higher than the 120 million tonnes, currently forecast. In main wheat growing areas, particularly in Shandong Province, rainfall in the second dekad of May eased conditions somewhat on an estimated 2.7 million hectares following a prolonged drought earlier. In view of the earlier drought, which affected the main winter wheat crop, (around 90 percent of aggregate production), prospects are less favourable and output is forecast to fall to around 105 million tonnes, some 5 million tonnes lower than last year and 5 percent below the long term average. Higher imports are anticipated to meet demand for wheat. Overall a slight increase in aggregate crop area is anticipated this year and the food grain production target is 495 million tonnes, including tubers and pulses.
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