Despite its efforts to boost grain yields for the 10th consecutive year, China - the world's largest rice consumer - is expected to become also the largest rice importer this year, according to a new report.

The country's rice imports this year will surge to 3 million metric tons from 2.34 million tons a year ago, according to the report, released by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Since 2012, "consumption demand for rice in China has exceeded the supply", the report said.