China expects an increase in grain output for the fifth consecutive year in 2008, with production to exceed 510 million tonnes, according to the state grain information center.

"We estimated that this year's harvest would reach 511.5 million tonnes, up more than 10 million tonnes from 2007," the center's vice-director Yang Weilu was quoted as saying by China Securities Journal on Monday.

Rice production was to reach 185.49 million tonnes, up 1.01 million tonnes from last year, while wheat output would increase 2.64 million tonnes to 109.86 million tonnes, according to the center.

The country was likely to harvest 151.83 million tonnes of corn and 17.54 million tonnes of beans, up 4.17 million and 3.46 million tonnes respectively.

Yang foresaw no major fluctuation in the country's grain prices. "More grain reserve led by expected output increase and the state price control together would secure a stable grain price," he said.

China has adopted multiple measures and policies since late last year in a bid to stabilize grain prices and promote agricultural production, including curbing grain export, raising subsidies for farmers and tackling fertilizer price increase, among others.

Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture showed that China has mainly relied on itself to feed its population of more than 1.3 billion.

(Xinhua News Agency September 2, 2008)