China recorded a fast growth in wheat trade in the first two months this year, as the imports of wheat totaled 142,000 tons, up 320 percent year-on-year, while exports grew by 49 percent to 205,000 tons, official figures showed.

According to figures released by the Ministry of Agriculture, China recorded a surplus of 63,000 tons in wheat trade for the two-month period.

The ministry noted that the country's winter wheat was doing well and per-hectare output was expected to increase this year over 2003 if favorable

weather conditions sustains.

China's wheat supplies would be able to meet the total demand this year, according to a report by the ministry. The ministry also said global wheat

production is forecast to drop for the fifth consecutive year in 2004.

The decrease in global wheat output this year could be 3.3 percent of the output for 2003 owning to lower yields in European Union, Russia and Ukraine,

and global wheat consumption would shrink by 2 percent.