According to the US Grains Council, China is on track to produce more corn than rough rice for the first time in history
The trend illustrates the growing affluence by the Chinese middle class and their demand for a more protein-rich diet
In its World Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimate, the US Department of Agriculture upwardly revised its projection of Chinese corn production from 200 million metric tonnes to 208 million metric tonnes. USDA is also projecting a Chinese rough rice production of slightly more than 204 million metric tonnes.
Over the past 20 years, China has experienced explosive growth in meat demand. Poultry consumption has increased 300 per cent. Pork consumption has increased 85 per cent and beef consumption has increased 155 per cent. That is a dramatic contrast to the US figures, which are 45 per cent, 6 per cent and 3 per cent respectively. Rice represents a staple food for more than two billion people – including two of the world's most populous countries – India and China – but the data suggests people in China are increasing their desire for animal protein.
The US Grains Council has been operational in China for more than 30 years with a country office located in Beijing, specialising in technical demand building programmes and market intelligence.
