China's total grain consumption in the 2005-2006 fiscal year
will hit a record 500 million tons, an official with the State
Grain and Edible Oil Information Center said.
Per head grain consumption will reach 386.5 kilograms, said the
center's director Shang Qiangmin.
He predicted that the country's net grain imports will account
for 5.1 percent of total grain consumption over the course of the
year.
The center forecast China's rice consumption will amount to 181
million tons this year, and corn consumption 128 million tons,
while wheat consumption will drop to 100 million tons.
Meanwhile, soy bean consumption will continue to grow to reach
43 million tons or even higher.
(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2006)
