Beijing's grain prices are stable and prices are not expected to rise sharply in the later period

(Fighting against New Coronary Pneumonia) Beijing's food grain prices are stable and prices are not expected to rise significantly in the later period

China News Agency, Beijing, April 6 (Reporter Du Yan) Beijing has sufficient food supplies, adequate reserves, and basically stable prices. The grain stock in the area under Beijing's jurisdiction is equivalent to 10 months of market supply, and citizens do not have to concentrate on buying grain, nor do they need to hoard grain. This was revealed by Wang Deqi, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Food and Materials Reserve Bureau, at a press conference on the 6th.

Recently, the epidemic of New Coronary Pneumonia has spread globally, and some countries have banned food exports, and global food security is facing a severe test. Wang Deqi pointed out that China's overall grain supply and demand are loose, Beijing has sufficient grain supply and reserves are in place. Especially in recent years, Beijing has established a good grain production and marketing cooperation relationship with seven major production areas, and has continuously consolidated and expanded grain supply channels.

He said that Beijing currently has sufficient grain processing capacity. Since the outbreak, processing companies in Beijing have resumed production and production in a timely manner, increasing output and market volume. 50% of rice noodles can be produced by processing companies in the city. At the same time, there are many processing enterprises in the surrounding areas of Beijing, which can realize the rapid conversion from raw grain to finished grain. In addition, the government puts in raw grain reserves through targeted sales and open auctions to ensure the supply of raw materials for processing enterprises.

He also pointed out that Beijing's food circulation channels are unblocked, and a sound government reserve and emergency delivery system has been established. The local grain reserve in Beijing is equivalent to 6 months of market supply, and the mechanism of rotation purchase and sale is sound. It plays the role of “ballast stone” and “stabilizer” in regulating the supply and demand and prices of the grain market. If other types of grain are added, the grain inventory in the Beijing jurisdiction is equivalent to 10 months of market supply.

Wang Deqi said that during the epidemic, Beijing's finished grain reserves increased from 15 days to 36 days of market supply. Coupled with the company's commodity inventory, Beijing's finished grain inventory is equivalent to 48 days of market supply.

He said that there are currently more than 800 emergency supply outlets in Beijing, equipped with the necessary emergency transportation and distribution capabilities, to ensure the effective supply of food under emergency conditions.

Will the Beijing grain market be affected by the international market in the future? He pointed out that China's grain can be self-sufficient, the amount of grain imported is not large every year, and the impact of international trade on China and even Beijing is very limited. In the past three years, the amount of grain imports in Beijing has been small, mainly used for variety adjustment. In 2019, the actual grain imports were only 120,000 tons. In the next step, Beijing will strengthen the organization and dispatch of goods to ensure the supply and price stability of the capital's grain market.

Regarding the food price issue that the public is concerned about, he pointed out that China has sufficient food stocks and Beijing is also in a situation where supply exceeds demand. According to monitoring, in March of this year, the average monthly price of rice and Fuqiang powder in Beijing decreased year-on-year, and the average retail price of rice and Fuqiang powder rose slightly year-on-year.

"From the overall situation, prices are basically stable." He said that it is expected that there will not be a substantial increase in food prices in the later period.

Wang Deqi said that citizens do not have to concentrate on buying grain, let alone deliberately hoard grain, especially considering the shelf life of grain, it is recommended that households buy grain as they go. (Finish)