This undated photo captures customers buying pork at a supermarket in Hai'an, Jiangsu province. (ZHAI HUIYONG / FOR CHINA DAILY)

BEIJING – China's food supplies remained sufficient during the first half of the year, said Zeng Yande, an official with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Pork output jumped 8.2 percent year-on-year in the first half, while milk production rose 8.4 percent from a year ago

China's hog production has returned to a reasonable range, with the number of breeding sows reaching 42.77 million at the end of June, Zeng told a press conference.

Pork output jumped 8.2 percent year-on-year in the first half, while milk production rose 8.4 percent from a year ago.

The output of aquatic products reported slight growth, and the vegetable and fruit markets had adequate supplies during the period, the official said.

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Imports and exports of agricultural products maintained robust growth momentum, soaring 10.4 percent year-on-year to $161.68 billion, Zeng added. 

In this May 21, 2019 photo, farmers check the growth of wheat in a field in Shibali Township of Qiaocheng district in Bozhou, east China's Anhui province. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Grain production expected to remain stable

Meanwhile, the country is expected to see stable grain production this year, despite challenges including rare autumn floods last year, sporadic resurgences of COVID-19 cases and drastic fluctuations in the global farm produce market, said Liu Lihua, an official with the ministry, on Wednesday.

China is expected to secure a bumper autumn harvest, said Liu Lihua, an official with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, citing that the planting area has seen a steady expansion this year and the growth process of autumn grain crops is normal

"China is witnessing a sound grain production situation this year," Liu said.

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The country saw its summer grain output increase by 1.435 billion kg this year and has harvested over 60 percent of its early rice.

China is expected to secure a bumper autumn harvest, Liu said, citing that the planting area has seen a steady expansion this year and the growth process of autumn grain crops is normal.

Autumn grain accounts for 75 percent of China's total grain output, while summer grain and early rice make up the rest.

Efforts will be made to strengthen farmland management, and enhance preparedness against weather-related disasters to secure a good autumn harvest, the official said.

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China aims to ensure the full-year grain output in 2022 stays above 650 billion kg, according to this year's government work report.