(Economic Observation) China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs responded to recent fluctuations in food prices: consumers do not need to panic and "grab food"
China News Service, Beijing, August 26 (Reporter Chen Su) If food prices are stable, 100 prices are stable. In special years affected by the global new crown pneumonia epidemic and floods, China's grain prices have shown signs of rising in recent times, which has aroused social concern. What is the food supply situation in China? What is the trend of grain prices in the later period? Regarding social concerns, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China held a press conference on the 26th to introduce the operation and production of China's grain market.
Tang Ke, Director of the Department of Market and Information Technology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, said that due to the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the impact of floods and the transmission of international grain prices, the operation of China's grain market has experienced phased fluctuations, and grain prices have generally stabilized and increased. Trends among varieties have diverged. In July, the average price of rice, wheat, and corn in the three grain trade markets was 122.4 yuan (RMB, the same below), up 0.2% month-on-month and 1.7% year-on-year. Among them, the price of rice rose the least, followed by wheat, and corn. The increase was more obvious, and the price of grain in the acquisition and wholesale links increased significantly.
According to the data disclosed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs that day, at the end of July, the purchase price of wheat in Shandong was more than 1.17 yuan per catty, an increase of about 8 cents over the same period last year. The average purchase price of corn in Northeast, Shandong and other places increased by about 30% from the beginning of the year. , The average purchase price of Heilongjiang domestic edible soybeans was 2.75 yuan per catty, up 8.2% month-on-month and 51.2% year-on-year.
Looking into the later period, Tang Ke said, "China's grain prices will remain stable overall."
He said that this judgment is supported by three fundamental factors: first, stable and good food production, second, abundant food stocks, and third, relatively stable consumption.
Tang Ke said that this year's summer grain and early rice have been harvested. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the output of summer grain this year is 285.6 billion jin, an increase of 2.42 billion jin, and the output of early rice is 54.6 billion jin, an increase of 2.06 billion jin. The production of rice and corn throughout the year mainly depends on autumn crops. From the perspective of agricultural conditions, the area of autumn crops has increased steadily this year. Although local droughts and floods are severe, the post-disaster recovery of production is timely and effective, and the growth of autumn crops is generally good. If there are no major disasters in the later period, the whole year will be a bumper year.
"We have grain in hand, so don't panic in my heart." Tang Ke pointed out that in recent years, China's ration inventory has continued to remain high. The current national rice and wheat inventory levels are roughly equivalent to the annual consumption of urban and rural residents. Although corn inventory is digested quickly, the market The supply is guaranteed. After the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, relevant departments have strengthened the release of reserves and emergency supply in a timely manner. The market supply is stable and orderly, and there is no shortage of food and oil in the market.
In terms of consumption, Tang Ke said that as a daily necessities, consumption of grain is relatively rigid, and generally does not decrease or increase significantly during the year. This year, affected by the epidemic, the consumption of rations at home has increased, but consumption outside has decreased. The situation of epidemic prevention and control After the continuous improvement, the consumption of corn forage and deep processing has recovered well, but the increase in actual demand is relatively stable. In the early stage, some consumers and traders were hoarding grain, which will drive market demand fluctuations in the short term, but it will not change the trend of grain consumption.
Looking forward to the supply of grain production in the later period, Tang Ke said that China's grain production and supply is fully guaranteed. We have a good foundation for ensuring the stable operation of grain prices. In addition, the supply of most bulk agricultural products such as corn and soybeans in the world is sufficient and prices are running at low prices. , The domestic grain price lacks the conditions for a sharp rise. It is expected that with the successive harvest of autumn grains, the Chinese grain market is expected to remain basically stable.
Regarding the phenomenon of consumers and market entities hoarding food, Tang Ke said that in the context of the global pandemic of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the uncertainty in the operation of domestic and foreign agricultural products markets has increased. Some consumers are buying more grains and oils out of risk prevention. It is understandable that some traders and farmers should stock up more food in anticipation of the market outlook, but they must avoid following the trend to prevent waste caused by improper storage and losses caused by subsequent price fluctuations. “Judging from the operation of China’s grain market during the first half of this year’s epidemic, the market supply of domestic terminal grain and oil products continues to be abundant, and prices are basically stable. There is no need for consumers to be overly anxious or even panic to buy. One serving calmly." (End)