China is expected to grow its rice production to 144 million tons during 2013-14 (July- June). This is slightly higher than
143 million tons of rice produced in 2013-14.

During this year growth of guaranteed prices for rice will encourage farmers to expand acreage area under rice. Acreage area is expected to grow to 30.6 million hectares. This is 1% higher than 30.3 million hectares planted in 2012-13 season. Nevertheless, the slight increase in production will not help meet the domestic demand for rice. The need of the given grain in China is expected to grow by 3 %, from 143 million tons in 2012-13 to 147 million tons during 2013-14 season.

Therefore, rice import will most likely grow by 4%, from 2.4 million tons during 2012-13 season to 2.5 million tons in 2013-14. As a result, during this year China will be among the world’s largest importers of rice . During 2012-13 season, a big chunk of rice import consisted of low quality rice from Vietnam and Pakistan. Yet, China has also purchased some high- quality rice as well. Rice export, according to forecasts, are to decline during 2013-14 and will reach 300 000 tons sold last season, and less than 400 000 tons exported in 2011-12.
China- world’s largest producer and consumer of rice. The country imported small quantities of rice to the 2011-12 season, when import of the grain grew almost three times as much, compared to the previous year, to 1.8 million tons. That was result of growing rice consumption.