Data map: The farmers used machinery and manual methods to "grab the harvest" and planted food for half a year.
Photo by Wan Xiaolian
China News Service, Beijing, January 12 (Du Guiting and Chen Su) In the face of the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic and the complex international food market situation, what is the situation of China's food security in 2021?
On the 12th, Qin Yuyun, Director of the Grain Reserve Department of the State Administration of Grain and Material Reserves of China, responded to this.
At the press briefing of the State Bureau of Grain and Material Reserves held that day, Qin Yuyun said that at present, China's grain market is adequately supplied and runs smoothly.
He said that China’s grain inventories are at a relatively high level. Grain rations such as wheat and rice can meet the consumption demand for one year. The guarantee capacity of finished grain and oil inventories in large and medium-sized cities is more than 20 days.
At the same time, corporate commodity inventories have increased significantly. Corporate commodity inventories have reached the highest level in the past 15 years. Corn commodity inventories in Northeast China have reached three times the same period last year.
"China's grain inventory structure has been further optimized, and the ability to withstand market risks and maintain effective supply has been further enhanced."
From the perspective of policy grain auctions, Qin Yuyun said that since October 2020, although the transaction volume has fluctuated, the overall transaction rate has remained stable. The average transaction rates for wheat and rice are 31% and 28%, respectively, reflecting the stability of market expectations.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recently stated that in December 2020, world food prices rose for the seventh consecutive month, triggering people's concerns about the international food supply situation.
Speaking of the recent rise in international food prices, Qin Yuyun said that international food prices have risen to a certain extent, but in the past 10 years, prices of wheat, rice, corn and other grains have remained at relatively low levels.
According to forecasts by international agencies, in 2021, the global wheat and rice inventory consumption ratio will reach 42% and 36%, respectively, with loose supply, and the corn inventory consumption ratio has declined, but it will remain at a high level of 25%.
The overall supply of the international grain market is loose.
Imported grains have gradually arrived in Hong Kong, which has also effectively supplemented China's domestic market.
Qin Yuyun said that in general, China has the ability and confidence to ensure adequate supply and stable operation of the domestic grain market in 2021.
"The Spring Festival is coming, and the market for grain and oil products is adequate. People can rest assured that they can purchase the New Year's goods in appropriate quantities as needed to avoid unnecessary losses and waste caused by large quantities of overdue storage." (End)