China's sugar output, sales increase

BEIJING - China's sugar output and sales both increased during the October-December period last year, the first quarter of the 2018-2019 crop year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

The country produced 2.4 million tons of sugar during the period, up 3.4 percent year-on-year, according to a monthly report by the Chinese Agriculture Outlook Committee, an advisory body under the ministry.

Meanwhile, 1.31 million tons of sugar was sold, up 26 percent year-on-year.

The report warned of the possible impact of weather conditions on the sugar output as recent cold waves have affected the growth of sugarcane in the south.