China: 31 Farmer Subsidies for 2018

The official "Voice of China" listed 31 subsidy programs to apply for in 2018 that illustrate Chinese leaders' plans to transform agriculture. According to Voice of China, agricultural subsidy programs will emphasize aid for businesses engaged in environmental protection, those that increase industry efficiency and those that strengthen food safety. The list below includes the name of each program and the dates for application. (Voice of China also listed the government entity to apply to, but these are excluded here for brevity.)

Applicants for these programs must be registered as enterprises (which would include farmer cooperatives, agribusinesses and "family farms" holding a business license, but not individual farmers). They must demonstrate adequate "business management capability" and cannot have a bad social credit score, nor can they be on a black list. Aid cannot exceed the expenses of the project and a project cannot be supported by multiple subsidies.

The programs below focus on developing new-type farms, cooperatives, agricultural service providers, farm-industry linkages, soil improvements. Many of these programs are ideas that have been tried before. For example, producing oils from tree nuts has been proposed every 15 years or so, and feeding crop stalks/straw to cattle and sheep was a big initiative in the 1990s that has been revived. The programs feature "model farm" approaches and upgrades of the animal breeding system that have been around since at least the 1950s. Also prominent is the "comprehensive agricultural development" begun in the 1980s, which finances an overhaul of farming infrastructure in a village or larger contiguous area, including development of a processing or other agribusiness linked up with farmers. Industrial parks are another long-time socialist favorite now being adopted for agriculture.

This does not appear to be an exhaustive list of agricultural subsidies. It does not include payments to the broad population of farmers, such as the "support and protection payment" for grain farmers, target subsidy for cotton producers in Xinjiang, nor direct payments to producers of corn, soybeans, and rapeseed in select provinces. The programs below appear to be special project aid that companies, cooperatives, and licensed farms can apply for, not broad entitlements to all farmers.

Directory of China agricultural subsidy/aid programs, 2018
Program description	Application period
Model farmer cooperatives	Jan-June
Cropland protection and quality improvement aid	Jan-March
Aquaculture breeding and production model farms	Feb-June
Projects raising livestock on crop straw	Feb-June
Grassroots agricultural technology extension system aid	Feb-March
Modern agricultural industrial parks	March-April
Grain/cotton/oilseed/sugar high-yielding field construction	March-May
Agricultural machinery purchase subsidy (for "green" projects)	March-May
Aid for production of agricultural resources and ecological protection	March-May
Agricultural disaster prevention fund	March-May
Socialized services for the whole agricultural production process	April-Dec
Soil fertility testing aid	Before April
Aid for potato, fruit, vegetable storage facilities	Before April
Pastoral complex construction	May-June
Logistics upgrades	May
National agricultural industry chain innovation model districts	June-July
National comprehensive agricultural industrialized development (for new-type farms)	June-July
Modern young farmer plan	June-Aug
Model districts integrating production with cities (agricultural industry parks)	July-Aug
Ministry of Agriculture Food Grain Processing Model Enterprises	July-Sept
Fostering of New-type Professional Farmers	July-Aug
National Agricultural Comprehensive Development Industry Integration for managed land, organic fertilizer, low-residue pesticides	July-Oct
Aid for Outstanding Young Agricultural Technicians	July-Oct
National Outstanding Rural Practical Personnel Aid (large farms, S&T model farms, returned migrants)	Aug-Oct
Model Agricultural Comprehensive Development of Forestry (for tree-based oils, national forest reserves, forest economy)	Aug-Jun2019
National Agricultural Comprehensive Development (for production and breeding of improved varieties of crops and livestock)	Aug-Dec
Closed-System Ecological Agriculture Model (storage and processing of ag by-products, straw, manure)	Aug-Dec
National Model Districts Combining Rice and Fish production	Sept-Dec
Action Plan for Rural Migrants and Other Entrepreneurs Returning to Countryside (targeted tax and fee reductions, support for rural industry)	by Dec 31
Agricultural Comprehensive Development Fund for High-Yielding Fields, Ecological Projects, Irrigation water conservancy	by Mar2019
Modern Crop Seed Resource Protection, Crop Breeding, Variety Testing	by Jan2019

China Farm Output Up Marginally in 2017

China's agricultural output grew marginally, farming's share of the economy continued to shrink, and farm prices were down sharply for a number of commodities during 2017, according to agricultural production data released by the National Bureau of Statistics last week.

Value-added in agriculture, forestry, and fishing grew 4.1 percent during 2017, slower than China's overall GDP growth rate of 6.9 percent. The primary sector's share of GDP continued its decline, falling to 7.9 percent of GDP during 2017.

Investment in agriculture is growing rapidly, making up for years of neglect. According to the Bureau's investment data, fixed asset investment agriculture, forestry and fisheries grew 11.8 percent during 2017, faster than the 7.2-percent growth in total fixed asset investment and one of the fastest-growing sectors. However, agriculture still received just 3.9 percent of all China's fixed asset investment during 2017. (Investment by rural households is excluded from these figures, but rural households don't invest much in agriculture.) Fixed asset investment in primary processing of farm products (e.g., grain milling, vegetable oil processing, meat processing) grew 3.6 percent, and investment in food manufacturing grew just 1.7 percent.

China's grain output grew 0.3 percent during 2017 as a 1-percent rise in yield offset a 0.7-percent decline in area planted. Corn output was down 1.7 percent, while rice and wheat production each rose 0.7 percent. Output of soybeans surged 12.4 percent, and other beans were up 5.6 percent--reflecting the shift of land out of corn into alternative crops. The 14.6-million metric tons of soybeans produced was small in comparison with the volume of soybean imports (86 mmt for Jan-Nov 2017), and soybean imports grew even faster (15.8 percent) than soybean production. Cotton production rose 2.7 percent, reflecting growth in output in Xinjiang Autonomous Region and a sharp decline in central and eastern provinces. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, 74.4 percent of China's cotton was produced in Xinjiang last year.

China's output of major crops, 2017
Item	Unit	Output	Change from prev. yr. (%)
Grain output	MMT	617.9	0.3
Grain area planted	Mil ha	112.2	-0.7
Grain yield	MT/ha	5.5	1.0
Cotton output	MMT	5.5	2.7
Cotton area planted	Mil ha	3.2	-4.3
Cotton yield	MT/ha	113.2	7.3
Corn output	MMT	215.9	-1.7
Wheat output	MMT	129.8	0.7
Rice output	MMT	208.6	0.7
Soybean output	MMT	14.6	12.4
Other beans	MMT	4.6	5.4
Tuber output	MMT	34.2	1.3
Vegetable output	Mil Ha	NA	1.7
Vegetable area	MMT	NA	-0.3
Medicinal crops	MMT	NA	3.5

Production grew 1 percent or less for most types of livestock in China during 2017. The number of hogs slaughtered increased 0.5 percent from 2016 and pork output was up 0.8 percent. Poultry meat production was up .5 percent and egg output fell 0.8 percent. Beef cattle slaughter rose 1 percent and beef production increased 1.3 percent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

China livestock production, 2017
Livestock production	Unit	2017 amount	Change 2016-17 (percent)
Hogs slaughtered	Million	689	0.5
Pork	MMT	53.4	0.8
Beef cattle slaughter	Million	51.62	1.0
Beef	MMT	7.26	1.3
Poultry slaughter	Billion	12.41	0.3
Poultry meat	MMT	18.97	0.5
Egg production	MMT	30.7	-0.8

The National Bureau of Statistics reported that overall agricultural producer prices were up 3.5 percent, but the only major category showing price gains was forestry and fisheries (up 4.9 percent). Corn prices fell 2.9 percent and vegetable prices were down 4.4 percent (due to a warm winter that boosted production in north China during 2017). Hog prices fell 14 percent, egg prices were down 7.2 percent, and poultry prices were down 3.3 percent in 2017.

China agricultural producer prices (change, 2016-17)
Commodity	Percent
All	3.5
Crops	-0.5
Corn	-2.9
Vegetables	-4.4
Livestock	-9.2
Hogs	-14.0
Poultry	-3.3
Eggs	-7.2
Forestry and Fisheries	4.9

China S&D Estimates Jan 2018

A recent spurt in Chinese corn prices works against China's "supply side structural adjustment" which aims to shift production from corn to other crops to reduce excess supplies of corn. Profitability of corn could undermine these plans by inducing China's farmers to plant another huge corn crop this spring while the world is already awash in excess corn supplies.

The January 2018 China Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (CASDE) explained that farmers in the northeastern provinces have been holding back corn in anticipation of rising prices. The influx of cash from corn producer subsidies recently distributed allowed them to pay back loans without having to sell corn to generate cash; this allowed them to hold on to their corn longer. However, CASDE says the national average wholesale corn price is expected to remain stable at 1600-1700 yuan/mt, "constrained by high inventories."

An MOA news conference on the 2018 outlook for agricultural markets pronounced that the de-stocking of excess corn inventories and price-stabilization had surpassed expectations last year. In late December the average price of corn in northeastern provinces was 1580 yuan/mt, up 7.3 percent from the fourth week of October and 16.9 percent higher than a year earlier. In the north China plain the average corn price was 1660 yuan/mt, up 2.4 percent from late October and up 4.3 percent from a year earlier.

MOA agrees that corn looks profitable, but officials warned farmers not to "blindly" expand planting of corn this spring. They warned that there is little room for further increases in corn prices ahead of the Chinese Spring Festival holiday in February. Officials say changes in the corn markets are one of four topics to focus on  in 2018, and they called for local officials to continue urging farmers to switch from corn to minor grains and beans in marginal production regions as spring planting arrives.

China corn supply and demand (Ministry of Ag, Jan 2018)
Item	Unit	2016/17	2017/18 Nov	2017/18 Dec	2017/18 Jan
Planted area	1000 ha	36,768	35,100	35,445	35,445
Harvested area	1000 ha	36,768	35,100	35,100	35,100
Yield	Kg/ha	5,971	5,986	6,091	6,091
Production	MMT	219.55	210.11	215.89	215.89
Imports	MMT	2.46	1.50	1.00	1.20
Consumption	MMT	210.72	215.62	220.96	220.96
--Food	MMT	7.82	7.89	7.89	7.89
--Feed	MMT	133.03	135.03	138.35	138.35
--Industrial use	MMT	58.25	61.3	63.3	63.3
--Seed	MMT	1.61	1.5	1.59	1.59
--Loss and other	MMT	10.01	9.83	9.83	9.83
Exports	MMT	0.08	0.3	0.5	0.5
Surplus	MMT	11.21	-4.31	-4.57	-4.37

In their December 2017 CASDE report, MOA adopted the newly-released National Bureau of Statistics 215.89 mmt official estimate of 2017 corn production. This estimate is nearly 6 million metric tons larger than CASDE's previous estimate (210.11 mmt), making it hard to show that China is making progress in reducing its corn inventory. If the Bureua's larger estimate of production had been inserted in CASDE's November balance sheet without making adjustments, it would have meant that China's corn supply would have exceeded its consumption during 2017/18. CASDE avoided this by raising its estimate of corn consumption for animal feed, which gave the balance sheet a -4.57 mmt deficit in December. The January deficit was reduced to -4.37 mmt after the estimate of 2017/18 corn imports was raised to 1.2 mmt.

(Last year, CASDE ignored the National Bureau's higher estimate of 2016/17 corn production for about five months. This year CASDE adopted the Bureau's official estimate the same month it was announced.)

Ministry of Agriculture officials seem vexed by low international prices for corn and soybeans. At the MOA press conference, the director of economic information observed that low prices in international markets have been putting increasing pressure on Chinese grain and oilseed markets. CASDE notes that global corn supplies are abundant, and the C&F price of U.S. corn arriving at Chinese ports is 1550-1650 yuan/mt, down 100 yuan from the previous month and the lowest in two years, CASDE said. CASDE raised its estimate of corn imports based on strong demand.

CASDE's soybean analysis also cited downward pressure on U.S. soybean futures prices due to expectations of a big harvest in South America. The average C&F price of imported soybeans is 3050-3250 yuan/mt, while the average price of domestic soybeans is 4175-4375 yuan/mt. Estimated 2017/18 imports remained at 95.97 mmt. A slight reduction in domestic soybean production was the only change in CASDE's soybean balance sheet.

China soybean supply and demand (Ministry of Ag, Jan 2018)
Item	Unit	2016/17	2017/18 Dec	2017/18 Jan
Planted area	1000 ha	7,208	8,194	8,099
Harvested area	1000 ha	7,202	8,194	8,099
Yield	Kg/ha	1,796	1,817	1,802
Production	MMT	12.94	14.89	14.6
Imports	MMT	93.49	95.97	95.97
Consumption	MMT	108.11	110.56	110.56
--Crushing	MMT	92.90	94.38	94.38
--Food	MMT	11.18	12.04	12.04
--Seed	MMT	0.64	0.64	0.64
Loss and other	MMT	3.39	3.5	3.5
Exports	MMT	0.12	0.22	0.22
Surplus	MMT	0.01	0.08	-0.21

CASDE raised its estimate of 2017/18 cotton output to 5.64 mmt (slightly higher than the National Bureau of Statistics December estimate of 5.49 mmt). CASDE raised estimated cotton imports to 1.1 mmt. CASDE estimates that cotton stocks will fall from 8.75 mmt to 7.27 mmt during 2017/18.

China cotton supply and demand (Ministry of Ag, Jan 2018)
Item	Unit	2016/17	2017/18 Dec	2017/18 Jan
Begin inventory	MMT	11.11	8.75	8.75
Planted area	1000 ha	3,100	3,293	3,293
Yield	Kg/ha	1,555	1,662	1,714
Production	MMT	4.82	5.47	5.64
Imports	MMT	1.11	1.00	1.10
Consumption	MMT	8.09	8.22	8.22
Exports	MMT	0.01	0.01	0.01
End Inventory	MMT	8.94	7.00	7.27

China edible oils supply and demand (Min Agriculture, Jan 2018)
Item	Unit	2016/17	2017/18 Dec	2017/18 Jan
Production	MMT	27.36	27.81	27.82
--Soy oil	MMT	16.27	16.51	16.5
--Rapeseed oil	MMT	5.74	5.71	5.71
--Peanut oil	MMT	3.18	3.26	3.26
Imports	MMT	5.78	6.28	6.03
--Palm oil	MMT	3.34	3.75	3.85
--Rapeseed oil	MMT	0.8	0.85	0.85
--Soy oil	MMT	0.71	0.65	0.3
Consumption	MMT	31.68	31.9	31.9
--Urban	MMT	22.97	23.4	23.4
--Rural	MMT	8.71	8.5	8.5
Exports	MMT	0.17	0.17	0.17
Surplus	MMT	1.29	2.01	1.78

China sugar supply and demand, January 2018
Item	Unit	2016/17	2017/18 Dec	2017/18 Jan
Planted area	1000 ha	1396	1456	1456
--sugar cane	1000 ha	1225	1267	1267
--sugar beets	1000 ha	171	189	189
Yield
--sugar cane	MT/ha	61.8	60	60
--sugar beets	MT/ha	55.2	52.5	52.5
Sugar output	MMT	9.29	10.35	10.35
--sugar cane	MMT	8.24	9.15	9.15
--sugar beets	MMT	1.05	1.2	1.2
Imports	MMT	2.29	3.2	3.2
Consumption	MMT	14.9	15	15
Exports	MMT	0.12	0.07	0.07
Surplus	MMT	-3.44	-1.52	-1.52

China's New "Agricultural Diplomacy"

China is seeking a more influential and assertive role in global agriculture and is making agriculture part of broader geopolitical initiatives in its new era of "agricultural diplomacy" under Chairman Xi Jinping. Is China ready for this role? Is the world ready for China?

The strategy was laid out in "Our Country's Agricultural Diplomacy Enters a New Era,"a December 26, 2017 propaganda essay by Farmers Daily propagandists. The writers expounded on the more prominent role given to agriculture in foreign affairs since Xi Jinping ascended to the top leadership position five years ago.

The article recites "Chairman" Xi's slogans that proclaim China as now open to the outside world. It cites key international meetings where agriculture was emphasized, with special emphasis on Xi's kick-off of the One Belt One Road initiative during a 2013 summit with Kazakhstan's president.

The "clear message" proclaimed by the article is that China is greatly increasing its voice and influence in global agriculture, and China’s international cooperation in agriculture is growing faster, deeper, and stronger than ever before. As Xi's leadership moves into a new phase in his second term, Chinese diplomats and agribusinesses will go abroad and host international meetings and trade shows to "tell an even more vivid story."

"Agricultural diplomacy" is a broad concept that includes China's growing trade in agricultural products, free trade agreements, foreign investment in agribusiness, foreign aid, technical exchanges, China's role in rule-setting and international organizations, and promoting Chinese cultural heritage in farming. The idea of "farm diplomacy" was floated by Xinhua News Service propagandists describing Xi's trip to Latin America in 2014 but it vanished until mentioned in last month's Farmers Daily article. "Agricultural diplomacy" as described by Farmers Daily is a broader initiative based on guiding principles of open trade, mutually beneficial development, and links between farming, industry and services guide the growing collaboration with foreign countries in agriculture.

China envisions a leadership role in global agricultural governance, including an active role in international organizations, in making the rules for agriculture, and in trade negotiations. The article cites recent international meetings of agricultural ministers held by international organizations APEC, G20, ASEAN and BRICS where China purportedly played a leading role. At the 2016 G20 held in Xi'an, attendees were invited to support China's "grand plan for international cooperation."

China is seeking a more active role in international rule-making bodies like the Codex Alimentarius, OIE, and International Plant Protection Convention. China is overhauling its own standards for foods, farm products, and pesticide residues.

China wants to push for more "fair and rational" agricultural trade rules by engaging in negotiations on items like agricultural and fishery subsidies and concluding bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. By establishing the basic principles for negotiations, Chinese industries will have "more time and space" for development and further deepen relations with countries along the "belt and road" path. China plans to coordinate its agricultural trade policy and make use of trade remedy measures like anti-dumping duties and safeguard measures against distillers grains and sugar.

In another signature Xi Jinping initiative, China is pushing other countries to recognize its agricultural heritage and culture. China claims a leading role in the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization protection of agricultural heritage, with a third of the items accepted for protection so far.

Over the past 5 years, "the Chinese dream, Chinese programs, and Chinese thinking were accepted by the international community," the propagandists wrote.

Drawing another subtle link between Chairmen Xi and Mao, "agricultural diplomacy" has a major objective of re-establishing China as a leader in "south-south" cooperation, as a leader of the developing world. The article recites China's contributions to FAO "south-south" development programs, 3 million tonnes of food aid to Africa, and thousands of trainings and scholarships for agricultural technicians and scholars.

Technical assistance in agriculture is cited as a diplomatic tool for boosting China's reputation and responsibility abroad. "Agricultural experts have become true practitioners of the philosophy of sincere and true diplomacy," telling the "beautiful China story," Farmers Daily said. Examples of China's beneficial impact on African agriculture are "too numerous to mention."

China is bringing in technology and purportedly sharing it. Farmers Daily cites the establishment of the Asia-Pacific international potato research center in Beijing's Yanqing County as a significant milestone showing China's leading role in the international scientific community (This explains why China declared potatoes a staple food several years ago). The potato center is described as a model platform for international cooperation in agricultural research with advanced equipment and personnel. Farmers Daily also cites a China-Germany agricultural research center and 62 laboratories established with the United States and Canada. By hosting scientists and meetings, bringing in equipment and plant resources, China is shrinking the gap between China and developed countries in agricultural science.

One problem: China doesn't have very many diplomats to carry out "agricultural diplomacy." To address this problem, there are inter-departmental working groups on agricultural cooperation, training for staff to work in agribusiness and as diplomats specializing in agriculture, "foreign agricultural cooperation demonstration districts," and "agricultural external opening cooperation pilot districts" to help companies begin doing business overseas.

In the background of all this is China's ambitions to elevate its model of what might be called "centrally planned free trade" as an alternative to the post-WWII Anglo-American dominance of trade institutions. Can a country that has been characterized by insularity for at least two centuries become a world leader? Can a country where rules are customarily flouted and skirted in everyday life seriously become an international rule- and standard-maker? Can a country where leaders collect advanced degrees based on ghost-written doctoral theses and a country where slogans pass as "theories" become a leader in agricultural science?

It appears that we have the beginning of a grand social experiment that may answer these questions later in this century.

China Cuts Prices for Wheat Auctions

Chinese authorities announced that they will hold sales of old wheat from reserves beginning January 18, 2018 at reduced starting bids.

Wheat purchased through the price support program during 2014-16 will be offered at a minimum bid of 2410 yuan/metric ton, 50 yuan lower than previously. Sales will also be held for wheat purchased in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region (which is not part of the formal minimum price program, but has its wheat price supported by "temporary reserve" purchases). Wheat with excessive mycotoxin levels will be designated for sale to ethanol producers at discounted prices starting at 800 yuan/mt. Sprouted 7-year-old wheat from Xinjiang will also be sold at a discount starting at 1200 yuan/mt. In addition, authorities will offer imported wheat from 2013 stored in 16 different provinces at prices varying from 2160 to 2490 yuan/mt.

Wheat from 2012 shifted among provinces will be offered at prices from 2030 to 2330 yuan/mt. The first auction of 411,937 metric tons of interprovincial-transferred wheat reserves was held today (January 11), but none sold.

Wheat from Chinese reserves to be offered for auction
Description	Starting price
	Yuan/mt	$/mt
Wheat procured at minimum price, 2014-2016	2410	371
Excessive levels of mycotoxins (Henan Province)*	800	123
2010 temporary reserve wheat (Xinjiang, sprouted)	1200	185
2011 temporary reserve wheat (Xinjiang)	2000	308
2012 temporary reserve wheat (Xinjiang)	2100	323
*designated for sale to ethanol plants.

According to an analyst with the Xi'an national grain trade center, the reduced opening prices for grain auctions has several motivations. Officials want to tamp down price expectations in the market to sync up with the reduction in minimum wheat prices announced for the 2018 procurement season (which begins in June). Officials want to make more wheat available during the peak flour-milling period ahead of the upcoming Spring Festival. They also want to clear out old stocks of wheat to make room for 2018 grain purchases beginning this summer.

Another analyst says the wheat sales are being held to relieve cost pressure on flour mills. Reports say that the supply of high quality wheat is tight, but there is abundant supply of common and low-quality wheat.

An analysis on the flour information network earlier this month agreed that there are abundant supplies of common wheat. Flour prices are not rising because demand is relatively weak, and sales during the current "peak" demand season are not that vigorous. Prices for wheat bran--the by-product of flour-milling--are also weak, contributing to downward pressure on flour mill profits.

School Soccer to Promote Cheese

A school soccer competition will promote cheese consumption in Beijing, bringing together President Xi Jinping's passions for sports and upgrading Chinese industries, according to a December 2017 announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture's press office.

The "Dream Cup" is an open competition for teams from Beijing schools sponsored by a Beijing dairy company that will promote cheese consumption by students. But it is also much more than that. The cheese soccer activity illustrates the growing personality cult of Xi Jinping and ambitions to bring together disparate elements of society to achieve lofty national goals, with communist party coordination in the background.

"D20" dairy industry leaders pose with school children July 2017. Source: Ministry of Agriculture.

According to the announcement, the cheese-centered soccer competition is an implementation of the "spirit" of the 19th communist party congress held in October and a "measure to implement Xi Jinping's specific instructions." The competition was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture in conjunction with the China Dairy Association and Beijing Municipal Soccer Association, and with sponsorship by Beijing's Sanyuan Food Co. and the Beijing Peoples Broadcasting Association. The competition is part of a "China moderately well-off milk action plan" launched in February 2017 which distributed free dairy products to schools in poor regions as one of its efforts to revive the Chinese dairy industry.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the soccer competition will integrate youth sports with upgrades of the Chinese dairy industry by encouraging consumption of cheese by young people, promoting development of soccer and other sports, adopting habits of hard work and improving physical fitness. The Ministry's announcement explains that the Chinese dairy industry has made progress in boosting milk consumption and improving quality and safety, but it still faces challenges that include an imbalanced product structure. Promoting cheese consumption is a hoped-for "breakthrough" for the dairy industry's development. (note: cheese was nearly nonexistent in China until about 10 years ago and is still seldom consumed). This will bring about a hoped-for "historic transformation" from a "big dairy country to a strong dairy country," the Ministry's announcement said. 

China Wants to Shed Rice Stockpiles

Chinese authorities are considering another reduction in support prices for rice in 2018 to move toward market pricing, dissipate their huge stockpile, and stem a surge of imports, market analysts say.

With a record crop of 208.56 million metric tons (about 146 mmt after milling) in 2017, China's rice supply is more than adequate. As of December 25, 62.5 mmt (presumably rough rice; 43.75 mmt after milling) of the fall rice crop had been purchased (34.7 mmt medium grain and 27.8 mmt long grain), 2.3 mmt more than a year earlier. Procurement of the summer-harvested early indica rice crop totaled 9.16 mmt (6.4 mmt milled basis), up 570,000 mt from the year before.

An August rice market analysis estimated that the government's rice stockpile could be a record-high 100 million metric tons (apparently on a rough basis; 70 mmt milled basis), or about 80 percent of a year's consumption. The analyst's estimates were based on authorities' annual procurement of about 30 mmt of rice (21 mmt milled basis) through the support program since 2013 less sales of reserves.

Despite plentiful domestic supplies, rice imports also continue to rise. According to a Ministry of Agriculture report of customs statistics, China imported 3.6 mmt of (milled) rice in the first 11 months of 2017. That was up 15% from a year earlier.

A December report from China's central broadcasting network said that good quality rice is fetching good prices, but the price support program is propping up prices for generic rice.

A November report from China Grain Network said that quality of the 2017 rice crop varied by region. Rice has sprouting and other serious quality problems in parts of China were there was heavy rain at harvest time--mainly in Henan, Hubei, and Anhui Provinces. In southern regions like Jiangxi and Hunan Provinces quality of the crop is good. In most other areas, the quality was more or less the same as the previous year.

According to the China Grain Network report, the surge of rice imports is prompted by the spread between Chinese and international rice prices. In late November, the price for Thai 5% broken was $410/mt fob, and 3880-3980 yuan/mt on arrival in China. Pakistan 5% broken was $385/mt fob, and 3900-3920 yuan/mt on arrival in China's Guangdong Province.

On December 26, prices for domestic late-season long grain milled rice ranged from 3800 yuan/mt in Hunan (China's largest rice-producing province) to 4000 yuan/mt in Shanghai and 4040 yuan/mt in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Early season long-grain rice was 3910 yuan/mt in Shanghai, comparable to the price of imports. Medium grain japonica rice was more expensive: 4800 yuan/mt in Guangzhou, 4900 yuan/mt in Fujian, 4300 yuan/mt in Shanghai, and 4200 yuan/mt at the train depot in Heilongjiang (the largest production region for japonica rice).

China also managed to double its exports of rice to over 1.1 mmt in the first 11 months of 2017. China Grain Network explains that the exports reflect a strategy of accelerating the disposal of excess rice stockpiles and describes the exports as "structural adjustment." In other words, China is dumping surplus rice on the world market. According to China Grain Net, the average unit value of exports through October was $482/metric ton (45 percent lower than last year). The average export price equals 3133 yuan/mt at the current exchange rate--about 20 percent less than prevailing domestic prices in China. Major markets are South Korea, Philippines, Mongolia, and African countries such as Guinea-Bissau, Côte d'Ivoire, and Mozambique. The China Grain Net analysis expects exports of rice to accelerate as de-stocking and reform of the rice market picks up.

The China Grain Network says market participants anticipate declining rice prices in 2018 as the government is expected to cut minimum prices again. They expect the minimum price for japonica rice to be cut by 200-400 yuan/mt, the middle/late indica price to be cut by 200 yuan/mt, and they think the minimum price for early rice could be eliminated altogether. The announcement could come in February, the month when minimum rice prices for the coming season are typically announced.

The State Council's December 12 announcement that imports of broken rice will be permitted at a tariff of 10 percent beginning July 1, 2017 has not been explained, but it is consistent with rhetoric about a new emphasis on quality products in agricultural policy. Authorities may remove the price support for the low-quality early indica rice crop and allow imports of broken rice at a 10 percent tariff to liberalize the low end of the market. Both are relatively low-quality types of rice used for making liquor and other industrial processing.