(Combating new crown pneumonia) Ministry of Commerce: China's three main staples are fully self-sufficient, don't worry about shortages
China News Agency, Beijing, April 2 (Reporter Li Xiaoyu) Under the epidemic, many countries have begun to restrict food exports, and global food security is increasingly under pressure. Officials from the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China said on the 2nd that China's three main staples can be fully self-sufficient, and there is no need to worry about food shortages or skyrocketing prices.
At present, some supermarkets and shopping malls in China have seen the phenomenon of “hoarding food” by the public. In response, Wang Bin, deputy director of the Department of Consumer Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce, said at a press conference held on the same day that rice and wheat imported by China accounted for only 1% and 2% of total domestic consumption, respectively. The impact is small. In 2019, China's three major grain stocks of wheat, corn and rice have a balance of more than 280 million tons, which can be fully self-sufficient. Not importing will not cause a shortage of domestic food supplies.
He said that according to the analysis of relevant information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, China's food production situation is generally improving in 2020. The situation of summer grain seedlings is growing better than usual, and a bumper harvest is in sight. . During the epidemic, the state continued to promulgate policies and measures to support agricultural production. "This year's grain harvest is a high probability event."
Wang Bin said that at present, rice, flour, and edible oil are abundant in wholesale and retail markets across China and prices are stable. Grain production and processing enterprises are returning to work well and have ample production capacity. "Consumers have no need to worry about the shortage of food supplies and the sharp rise in prices. They don't have to concentrate on buying bulk food at home." (Finish)