China's early rice crop in major central growing areas was hit by lower-than-usual temperatures in April and heavy rains early this month may further damage the crop, industry officials said on Friday.
However, in north Henan province, the country's largest wheat growing area, wheat production is likely to hit record levels due to good weather and a bigger planting area, said the official Xinhua news agency and Henan agriculture officials.
Initial data from the official China National Grain and Oils Information Centre (CNGOIC) showed the early rice crop is likely to fall 0.6 percent this year from 2005's 31.79 million tonnes.
China's southern provinces grow rice in three seasons. Early rice, harvested in June, accounts for about 20 percent of the country's total output.