FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 02/02 - CHINA (1 February)
Growing conditions have improved for the 2001/02 winter wheat crop, particularly in the southern areas which were seriously affected by dry weather at planting in October. In the northern growing areas, more precipitation is still needed, despite beneficial rains and snowfall in November and December. The total area planted has decreased from 26.7 million hectares in 2000/01 to a present 24.6 million hectares and wheat output is provisionally forecast at 94.2 million tonnes compared to 99.6 million tonnes in the previous year.