China's 2026 Summer Grain Output Grows Despite Smaller Planting Area

China's summer grain output increased in 2026 as higher yields helped offset a slight decline in planted area, according to a survey of 25 major summer grain-producing provinces, regions and municipalities. The country's summer grain production reached 150.746 million tonnes in 2026, up 1 million tonnes from 2025, marking a 0.7% increase.

China's total summer grain planting area stood at 26.5324 million hectares in 2026, down 46,000 hectares from the previous year, a decline of 0.2%. Wheat, the dominant crop in summer grain production, accounted for 23.0068 million hectares of planting area, decreasing by 66,600 hectares, or 0.3%, compared with 2025.

Despite the modest reduction in planting area, improved agricultural productivity supported overall output growth. The average yield of China's summer grain reached 5,681.6 kilograms per hectare in 2026, an increase of 47.5 kilograms per hectare from the previous year, representing growth of 0.8%.

Wheat yields also recorded gains, with the average output reaching 6,039.6 kilograms per hectare, up 51.4 kilograms per hectare from 2025, an increase of 0.9%.

Wheat production totaled 138.952 million tonnes in 2026, rising by 783,000 tonnes from the previous year, or 0.6%. The increase contributed significantly to the overall growth in summer grain output, which reached 301.49 billion kilograms.

The data showed that China maintained stable summer grain production in 2026, with higher yields playing a key role in supporting grain output growth despite a slight contraction in cultivated area.