China expects record grain harvest in 2025

China is expecting a bumper grain harvest this year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced on Tuesday.

Nearly 20 percent of the autumn grain harvest has been collected nationwide. A stable spring grain harvest and an increased early rice yield have laid a solid foundation for the country’s annual grain harvest, despite the droughts and floods that occurred earlier this year, the ministry reported.

According to the ministry, the summer harvest totaled 149.74 million tons, while the early rice harvest totaled 28.52 million tons, representing an increase of 340,000 tons year-on-year.

The summer harvest forms the backbone of China’s annual grain production; planting area has been expanded, and yields are above average.

Technological advances were a key factor in the grain harvest growth, contributing 63.2 percent to the yield. New varieties of corn, soybeans, and rice developed by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences have significantly increased grain yields.

Modern agricultural machinery, such as hybrid tractors and gardening robots, is also being used to improve efficiency.

Thanks to higher-quality and more efficient processing of agricultural products, farmers’ incomes have also increased significantly. In 2024, per capita disposable income in rural areas rose to 23,119 yuan (approximately $3,254), and more than 100,000 large agricultural processing enterprises operated nationwide, each with an annual turnover of at least 20 million yuan.

China has taken measures to boost agricultural consumption, with leading e-commerce companies launching promotions and financial institutions offering incentives. In July, the central government released a plan to further stimulate agricultural consumption, aiming to optimize supply, improve distribution, and stimulate market demand.

Tags: grain, wheat, crop forecast, China