BEIJING, CHINA — China pulse production in 2019-20 is forecast to decline by 10% from the previous year to 4 million tonnes due to lower harvested area and unfavorable weather in major producing provinces, according to a Sept. 16 Global Agricultural Information Network report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“Low pulse prices, especially for mung and adzuki, helped drive plantings down year on year,” the USDA said. “Pulse area was shifted to soybeans in Northeast China due to higher subsidies (relative to last year) for the latter.”
It noted that Yunnan, a significant pulse-producing province, endured its worst drought in 10 years.
China’s annual pulse consumption per capita is about 1.7 kilograms, leading East Asia as the fastest growing market, the USDA said.
However, the agency noted that pulse production accounts for less than 1% of China row crop output and receives no support from the Chinese government.
“Challenges to expanding China’s production include limited research, poor access to quality seeds, a lack of improved varieties, and limited planting and harvesting equipment,” the USDA said.
