Grains Council Finds More Corn in China

Weather conditions in the U.S. have not been favorable. The condition of the U.S. corn crop is declining and it's not yet clear just how much the drought will impact yields. But in North China - the U.S. Grains Council says corn production is projected to be about 3.5-million metric tons - or 138-million bushels - greater than last year.

The forecast is based on industry crop tours coordinated by the Council's Beijing office. The increase in North China - along with increases in other growing regions - results in an anticipated six to 10-million ton - or 236 to 394-million bushel - increase overall in China this year compared to last.

USGC Director in China Bryan Lohmar says a two to four-million ton - or 79 to 157-million bushel - increase is expected in Northeast China. An increase of one to two-million tons - or 39 to 79-million bushels - is forecast in other growing regions.

Even with the China corn crop looking good - Lohmar says there may be greater demand for corn. That's because the country's winter wheat crop was adversely affected by disease and poor weather.

Lohmar says that could mean less wheat will be used in place of corn in animal feed - creating additional demand for corn.

The crop tours were conducted July 9th through the 13th and covered provinces where roughly 30-percent of China's corn is produced.

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