Chinanews Client Beijing, April 3 (Reporter Li Jinlei) "Why are you grabbing rice now?"
Recently, the global epidemic has spread, and many countries have announced a ban on grain exports. Some people think that the food crisis is coming, so the phenomenon of rushing for rice and oil has appeared in many places.
Is it really necessary to stock up? As the world's largest importer of agricultural products, will China be affected? Is there enough food for 1.4 billion people?
Rice infographic. Photo by China News Agency reporter Wang Xiaobin
Grain storage in many places
"Why did you start grabbing rice suddenly? My mother called me and asked me to go to the supermarket to buy more rice. Grandpa and Auntie also carried a big bag of rice on the road. Are you going to starve?
Recently, rice noodles and oil have been snapped up in many parts of the country. Videos circulating on social media show that some people gathered to buy rice noodles and oils in supermarkets and grain and oil stores.
Although many places have released rumors that grain and oil stocks are sufficient, there is no need to snap up. However, under the mentality of trusting rather than trusting others, many people have started the food storage mode. According to the transaction records provided by the e-commerce platform, some people bought 40 bags of rice at once and spent 1276 yuan.
Overnight, why did everyone start to grab rice? This is largely due to concerns over the food crisis.
Recently, the Russian people have started hoarding food and daily necessities such as rice, noodles, flour, bread, potatoes, carrots, meat, toilet paper, and wet tissue. On March 16, local time, in the "Ashan" supermarket in Moscow, some of the above products have been sold out. Photo by Wang Xiujun
Multiple countries restrict food exports
Under the influence of the epidemic, residents of many countries have stockpiled grains, and some countries have begun to close the grain stockpiling model. Recently, several countries have announced bans or restrictions on food exports.
Just look at the list of countries that have recently announced a food export ban-
On March 22, Kazakhstan suspended exports of some agricultural products including buckwheat, wheat flour, and sunflower oil.
On March 24, Vietnam banned the export of various rice products in any form. It should be noted that Vietnam is the third largest rice exporter in the world after India and Thailand, with annual rice exports of about 7 million tons, which roughly accounts for 15% of world trade.
On March 28, Egypt decided to stop exporting various legume products within the next three months.
On March 30, Cambodia announced that starting from April 5, white rice and rice will be banned from export, except for fragrant rice.
In addition, Serbia has stopped exporting agricultural products such as sunflower oil; Russia also intends to limit the export of agricultural products such as wheat, barley, and corn to 7 million tons from April 1 to June 30.
At the same time, granaries in some countries are anxious.
The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Agriculture said the country plans to import at least 1.2 million tons of wheat to ensure sufficient food is available in the local market and strategic reserves.
Under the influence of multiple factors such as the epidemic and locust plague, a food crisis is quietly brewing.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently issued a warning that if no measures are taken as soon as possible, a food supply crisis is expected from April to May.
On March 31, Qu Dongyu, Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, pointed out that the experience of the 2007-2008 global food price crisis proved that exporting countries' restrictions on exports in order to increase domestic food supply may lead to serious disruptions in the world food market, which in turn will cause prices to soar And increased volatility, which is not conducive to low-income food-deficit countries and humanitarian organizations to purchase food supplies to assist hungry and vulnerable groups.
At present, the capital market has been swayed by the wind, the A-share agricultural sector has risen sharply, and multiple related concept stocks have reached their daily limit.
The picture shows acres of rice in Heilongjiang Xiangshui harvesting sickle.
Is China enough food?
The people take food as the sky, and everyone is concerned. Will the changes in the international food market affect China? Is China's ration enough? Will there be problems of insufficient supply and rising prices? Do you want to buy more rice noodles now?
In fact, it is not necessary.
Because China's three main staples of rice, wheat and corn are completely self-sufficient.
On April 2, Wang Bin, deputy director of the Department of Consumption Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce, said that China's grain production has been bumper for years, with abundant stocks and reserves, long-term stable prices, and the impact of international markets on China's grain supply is small.
Data show that China's total grain output in 2019 was 664 million tons, an increase of 0.9% over 2018, the highest level in history, and the "16 Lianfeng" was achieved.
What is 664 million tons? That is 1,327.7 billion jin, China has a population of 1.4 billion, and its per capita food possession is 474 kg, which exceeds the internationally recognized 400 kg safety line.
Data Map: Yuan Longping is inspecting rice growth in the field. Photo by Tang Xiaoqing
Wang Bin said that China ’s average annual consumption of rations is more than 200 million tons. In 2019, the three main grains 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. China's grain imports are mainly feed grains such as soybeans and coarse grains. Imported rice and wheat account for only 1% and 2% of total domestic consumption, respectively, which mainly play the role of variety replacement and adjustment.
The south likes rice and the north likes noodles.
In terms of rice, Wang Liaowei, a senior economist at the National Cereals and Oils Information Center, pointed out that China imported only 480,000 tons of Vietnamese rice in 2019, the lowest level since 2011; only 30,000 tons of rice were imported from Vietnam from January to February this year.
The data shows that the number of Chinese rice imports has been decreasing year by year. In 2019, rice imports were 2.55 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 530,000 tons. Imported rice accounted for about 1% of China's rice consumption. It is mainly used to adjust the shortage of varieties, such as Thai rice, even if the rice is not imported. Nor will it affect the domestic market supply.
In terms of wheat, data show that China's wheat output is between 130 million and 140 million tons, which has been maintained for many years, and the import volume as a seasoning product is about 5 million tons.
Data Map: Wheat harvest season, wheat waves rolling golden. Photo by Liu Hao and Chen Jie
In other words, China's rations are absolutely safe, self-sufficient, and rice-free.
No need to hoard food at home
Moreover, this year's grain harvest is expected to be bumper.
According to the analysis of relevant information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the food production situation in 2020 is generally better. The situation of summer grain seedlings is better than usual, and a good harvest is in sight. The area of early rice planting has expanded, and there is a basis for increasing production. The purchase price of autumn grain is determined in advance and continuously raised. During the epidemic, the state continued to introduce policies and measures to support agricultural production. This year's grain harvest is a high probability event.
Wang Bin said that the supply of rice, flour, and edible oil in the wholesale and retail markets around the world was sufficient, and prices were stable. Grain production and processing enterprises are returning to work well and have ample production capacity. There is absolutely no need for consumers to worry about the shortage of food supply and the sharp rise in prices, and there is no need to concentrate on buying bulk food at home.
The person in charge of the State Grain and Materials Reserve Bureau told the media on the 2nd that individual countries' restrictions on exports have basically had no effect on domestic supplies of rations such as flour and rice. We are confident and capable of securing domestic food supplies. Excessive panic and buying of grain and oil are unnecessary. Judging from the stock situation, rice and wheat can meet consumer demand for more than one year.
The picture shows the farmers of Xing'an League enjoy a good rice harvest. Photo by Hu Richa
Bai Ming, director of the International Market Research Institute of the International Trade and Economic Cooperation Research Institute of the Ministry of Commerce, told reporters at Chinanews that at present only individual countries restrict food exports. There has been no fundamental change in the world's food supply and demand relationship. As a result, the chances of food prices getting out of control are small. As long as major agricultural exporting countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia do not have major changes, there will be no major changes in the world's grain supply and demand.
Bai Ming said that the Chinese have experienced the taste of starvation, so they have always emphasized that the Chinese rice bowl is in their own hands. China attaches more importance to grain than any other country, and has a complete reserve grain system. The three main staples Reliance on the international market is relatively low, and there is a solid foundation for price stability, so there is no need to overstock grains to meet the needs of normal life.
Recently, rumors have been issued in many places, reminding people not to blindly follow the trend and "grab rice and oil".
Hubei said that the province's raw grain inventory is abundant and can be used for more than one year for residents of the province. Gansu Province said that government reserves and commercial grain inventories of the enterprise can meet the province's market supply for more than 240 days, and edible oil can meet the province's 85-day market supply. Yichang reminded that summer is coming soon, and rice flour is easy to deteriorate. Please consume it rationally.
From the perspective of sales terminals, some supermarkets and e-commerce platforms also indicated that they have sufficient stocks. For example, Hema said that "grain and oil products are well-stocked, without price increases and constant supply", and reminded consumers to buy on demand and consume rationally. "There is enough stock, and it's enough to eat for months. Remember the vegetables that you put out at home before?" (End)