Increase efforts to ensure supply and stabilize prices, Chinese officials protect residents' "vegetable basket"

(Economic Observer) Increase efforts to ensure supply and stabilize prices. Chinese officials protect residents' "vegetable baskets"

　　China News Agency, Beijing, December 1st (Reporter Chen Su) People depend on food.

Guaranteeing supply is related to people's livelihood, and it is also an important basis for coordinating epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development.

As the weather turns cold and the pressure of epidemic prevention and control increases, how is the supply and price stability of China's agricultural products?

How does the government protect the "vegetable basket" of residents?

　　The person in charge of the relevant department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China told a reporter from China News Agency on December 1 that at present, the production situation of China's "vegetable basket" products is good, the total supply is sufficient, and the market remains stable, which can fully meet the consumption needs of urban and rural residents.

　　According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the current growth of major vegetable varieties in China is normal, and the area yield has increased.

In the first ten days of November, the area of ​​vegetables in the field was 90.799 million mu, an increase of 1.631 million mu over the same period last year, and the output was 22.738 million tons, an increase of 573,000 tons over the same period last year.

Vegetable prices are stable and slightly down. In the 47th week (November 21-November 27, 2022), the average weekly price of 28 kinds of vegetables under the monitoring of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs is 4.18 yuan per kilogram (RMB, the same below), a month-on-month decrease of 0.7% , fell slightly for 6 consecutive weeks, down 26.3% year-on-year.

　　In terms of pork prices, the price of pork in China continued to rise in the early stage. Recently, with the steady growth of national hog production, the price of pork has stabilized and dropped.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the current number of fertile sows has increased for six consecutive months, and it is expected that the number of live pigs slaughtered before the Spring Festival next year will be roughly the same as the same period last year.

In the 47th week, the average weekly price in the pork wholesale market was 33.30 yuan per kilogram, a decrease of 0.5% month-on-month, falling for 3 consecutive weeks.

　　In addition, the output of fruits is at a high level, the production situation of beef, mutton, poultry, poultry and eggs is good, the output of aquatic products has increased, and the prices of "vegetable basket" products have generally remained stable.

　　From the perspective of production links, the production situation of China's "vegetable basket" products is good, and the supply base is guaranteed.

From the circulation point of view, in the face of the situation of epidemic prevention and control, Chinese officials attach great importance to ensuring the supply of daily necessities and important agricultural products.

China's 20 optimization measures for epidemic prevention and control further propose that all localities should set up special classes for the protection of daily necessities, and formulate plans to improve the market supply of daily necessities, distribution in closed communities, and regional joint insurance and joint supply.

　　With the strongest cold wave weather since the beginning of winter, recently, all parts of China have further strengthened the organization and transportation of "vegetable basket" product sources, smoothed the transportation of fresh agricultural products, optimized the "last mile" distribution, and made every effort to provide residents with daily necessities Guaranteed supply.

According to local media reports, the farmers' markets across the country are stable and orderly, and the consumption needs of urban and rural residents are relatively fully guaranteed.

　　"In the later stage, there are still risks such as unfavorable weather, increased costs, and hindered transportation." The above-mentioned head of the relevant department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China said that according to the meteorological department, there may be periodic low-temperature rain, snow and freezing disasters in some areas this winter. It is relatively strong, which is not conducive to the production and circulation of vegetables.

In addition, as winter turns cold, the risk of transmission of major animal diseases increases.

The prices of agricultural materials such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, gasoline and diesel, and feed are running at high levels, raising production costs.

　　The person in charge also said that China's "vegetable basket" products have formed a large market and a large circulation pattern, but the recent new crown pneumonia epidemic has shown the characteristics of multiple, wide-ranging, and frequent outbreaks, and the situation is severe and complicated. "Products cannot be transported to the place of origin and cannot be shipped to the place where they are sold, which may have an impact on the balanced supply of the local short-term market.

　　"We will focus on tightening the 'vegetable basket' mayor responsibility system, and focus on ensuring the production and supply of key agricultural products in winter and spring." The person in charge said that the next step will be to start with production, transportation, regulation and other links to do a good job of "vegetable basket" "Guaranteed supply and stable prices.

　　In the production link, we will do a good job in the construction of the south-to-north transportation base and the production of vegetables in northern facilities, so as to improve the production and supply capacity of vegetables around large and medium-sized cities.

Do a good job in the production of key products such as meat, eggs, milk, and aquatic products, keep an eye on the key indicators of live pig production, solidly promote the prevention and control of major animal diseases, and rationally guide the slaughter and supplement.

　　In the transportation link, the production and circulation of "vegetable basket" products will be further smoothed.

Strictly implement the "green channel" policy for the transportation of fresh and live agricultural products, and unblock the transportation channels for agricultural production materials and "vegetable basket" products.

　　In the regulation and control link, it will play the role of the baton of assessment, urge and guide 36 large and medium-sized cities such as Beijing to coordinate the work of the "vegetable basket", improve the emergency supply guarantee plan, and deal with emergencies.

Supervise and urge all localities to strengthen the allocation and transportation of "vegetable basket" products, do a good job in the storage of storable vegetables, fruits, frozen meat, and aquatic products, and increase the distribution of them in a timely manner.

(Finish)