Record high crop yields, but trade deficits continue

China's crop yields are expected to increase for the 13th consecutive year in 2016, but the agricultural products trade deficit, too, is likely to continue on the persistent price gap between imported and domestic products.

The analysis was included in an annual report, the Green Book of Rural Areas 2016, which was issued recently by the Rural Development Institute at the China Academy of Social Sciences.

According to the report, which analyzes and forecasts China's rural economy, the country's overall crop output is estimated to be 630 million metric tons this year, and follows a historical high of 621.44 million tons last year. The estimate is based on the current crop planting structure, the influence of agricultural policies and farmers' response to the market.