China's grain purchases totaled 415 million tonnes in 2025, remaining above the 400-million-tonne mark for a third straight year, according to a national work conference on food and strategic reserves on Tuesday.
The country's grain markets remained generally stable throughout the year, with prices showing a gradual recovery, according to the conference.
More than 90 percent of purchases were market-driven, supported by improved financing and storage capacity, and the participation of both state-owned and private firms.
Grain purchases are an important part of China's macro control measures, as is the country's policy of setting a minimum grain purchase price, both of which are key to safeguarding national food security.
About 22.5 million tonnes of wheat and rice were purchased under the minimum grain purchase price scheme, helping to stabilize market expectations.
"In 2025, various enterprises have a grain procurement volume of 830 billion jin (415 million tonnes), maintaining stability above 800 billion jin for three consecutive years. Market-oriented procurement accounted for over 90 percent of the total throughout the year, and the efficiency of grain circulation continued to improve. In response to the low prices in some main production areas during the peak season of grain procurement, [we] promptly launched the minimum grain purchase price scheme for rice. Throughout the year, approximately 45 billion jin (22.5 million tonnes) of wheat and rice were purchased under the minimum grain purchase price scheme, effectively stabilizing markets and expectations," said Luo Shouquan, director of the food reserve department of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.
"Corn is the main crop contributing to the grain output increase in 2025. The current corn procurement progress is faster than the same period in previous years. At present, the average price for corn received at processing plants in northeast China and north China is 2,197 yuan (about 314.02 U.S. dollars) per tonne, which has risen by 52 yuan (about 7.43 U.S. dollars) per tonne since the beginning of the new grain season and increased by 239 yuan (about 34.16 U.S. dollars) per tonne year-on-year. Farmers' profits from corn cultivation are favorable and have increased significantly compared to the previous year. Rice consumption remains relatively stable, and the market operates steadily overall. The characteristic that 'good quality commands good prices' is clear," said Wang Xiaohui, director at the National Food and Strategic Reserves Data Center.
China's grain output hit a record high of 714.88 million tonnes in 2025, which was a year-on-year increase of 1.2 percent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), China will strengthen its grain purchases and reserves further and keep grain prices at a reasonable level, according to Liu Huanxin, head of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.
China's grain purchases total 415 million tonnes in 2025
