The State Grain Information Center (SGIC) has adjusted down its forecast of China's soybean output this year but maintained the soybean planting area, according to November forecast report of SGIC on grain output. SGIC predicated China's soybean output to reach 16.5 million tons in 2008, 1 million tons less than last month's forecast, mainly due to the falling yield and quality.

 

* SGIC maintained the forecast on planting areas of corn, wheat, rice and rapeseed as that of October.

 

* The output drop is attributed to the higher yield of soybean pushing some farmers to transfer cornfields for soybean.