- Chinese agriculture minister Tang Renjian has said that the condition of the country’s winter wheat crop could be the “worst in history,” raising concerns about global grain supplies
- Tang said rare heavy rainfall last year delayed the planting of about one-third of the country’s normal wheat acreage
- According to a survey of the winter wheat crop taken before winter, the amount of first and second-grade crops were down by more than 20 percentage points
BEIJING, China: Chinese agriculture minister Tang Renjian has said that the condition of the country’s winter wheat crop could be the “worst in history,” raising concerns about global grain supplies.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the country’s annual parliament meeting, Tang said rare heavy rainfall last year delayed the planting of about one-third of the country’s normal wheat acreage.
According to a survey of the winter wheat crop taken before winter, the amount of first and second-grade crops were down by more than 20 percentage points, he added.
“Not long ago we went to the grassroots to do a survey and many farming experts and technicians told us that crop conditions this year could be the worst in history,” he said
Tang’s comments highlight concerns about China’s grain supply amidst the war between Russia and Ukraine, which together account for about 29 percent of global wheat exports, causing wheat prices to rise to 14-year highs.
However, due to strong policy and technical support and the improving crop condition for grain, China can ensure a bumper harvest of summer grain, Tang added.
Tang’s comments also come as Beijing is prioritizing food security, which had become increasingly crucial since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response, a report by the National Development and Reform Commission’s stated that China will ensure that grain acreage for the year stays above 117.33 million hectares, as well as increase its production of soybeans and other oilseed crops.
China also said it will increase its corn output, even as its corn imports surged to a record last year, amidst rising domestic prices and low inventories.
The NDRC noted that through the effective use of reserves and imports, China will guarantee the supply-demand balance of grain, edible oil, cotton, sugar and fertilizers.
In another report, the finance ministry said China will allocate $6.59 billion in subsidies in 2022 for agricultural insurance premiums, up 30.8 percent from one year earlier.
According to Premier Li Keqiang, China will ensure key agricultural product supplies this year, including grains.
“Everyone must work together to ensure that the country’s ‘rice bag’ and ‘vegetable basket’ are well-filled, and that we have a secure food supply for the people,” he said.
