CHANGCHUN-- China is likely to reap a bumper corn harvest this year, with the output being expected to hit 182.5 million tons, according to an official with the State Administration of Grain.

Shang Qiangmin, head of the China National Grain and Oils Information Center under the State Administration of Grain, made the projection at a forum on corn industry development in Changchun, capital of northeastern Jilin province, on Friday.

With the increasing output, there is a bigger market demand for corn in the production of feeds, starch sugar and corn ethanol, Shang said.