China Grain Center Raises 2008 Soybean Output Forecast by 6%

China, the world's fourth-biggest soybean grower, may harvest 6 percent more of the oilseed than previously expected as farmers boosted planting and favorable weather aided crop growth, a state-owned forecaster said.

Output may rise 36.7 percent from a year ago to 17.5 million metric tons, the China National Grain and Oils Information Center said today in an e-mailed report. That is 1 million tons more than the center's projection last month.

Corn production may surge 2.7 percent from a year ago to a record 156 million tons, and that compared with 154 million tons forecast by the center on July 8. Rice production may gain 0.5 percent to 186.5 million tons, up from the center's projection of 185.7 million tons last month.

The center left output of wheat and rapeseed unchanged at 112.5 million tons and 11.5 million tons respectively.