Recently, there has been a panic buying of grain, oil, rice and noodles in some areas of our country. At the same time, the general increase in vegetable prices across the country has also aroused widespread concern. What is the current situation of food production and supply?
What measures will my country take to protect the "vegetable basket" of the people?
On November 4, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs held a press conference on the production and supply of important agricultural products this winter and next spring to respond to social concerns.
Food supply is fully guaranteed
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, this year's summer grain output increased by 5.93 billion jin, and early rice production increased by 1.45 billion jin.
At present, the national autumn grain harvest has exceeded 90%. From the actual harvest situation, although Henan, Shanxi, and Shaanxi have reduced autumn grain production due to severe floods and droughts, most of the other main producing areas have increased production, especially in the Northeast.
"If you calculate the general ledger, it is a foregone conclusion that the country's autumn grain output will increase. This year's grain output will hit a record high, stabilizing at more than 1.3 trillion catties for seven consecutive years. Year after year bumper harvests, abundant stocks, and no problems at all in supply." Plantation Management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Liu Lihua, Deputy Director of the Department, introduced.
From the perspective of ration production, my country's two major ration crops, rice and wheat, have increased their production year after year.
This year’s rice output will continue to maintain a steady and increasing trend, with output higher than consumption; wheat output hit a record high this year, with output higher than edible consumption. In addition to the abundant inventory of two major rations, it also imported some modified varieties and two major rations. The supply is absolutely guaranteed.
In addition, the country’s corn production has increased significantly this year, which can effectively increase market supply.
From the perspective of grain stocks, the current total grain stocks are abundant and are at a historical high.
The two major rations of wheat and rice account for more than 70% of the total inventory, and the wheat inventory can meet consumer demand for one and a half years.
“At the same time, my country’s grain and oil processing capacity is very strong. The rice noodles processed in one day are enough for the people of the country to eat for two days.” Liu Lihua said, “In short, my country’s grain production is abundant and stocks are sufficient. There is also ample supply of food varieties in China. The people have no worries about rice and noodles at home, and the foundation for ensuring supply and stable prices is very solid."
Sufficient total vegetable supply
Recently, vegetable prices across the country have generally risen. According to monitoring data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the average wholesale price of 28 vegetables in October was 5.25 yuan per kilogram, an increase of 16.7% month-on-month and 11.7% year-on-year. Leafy vegetables such as spinach rose significantly.
Tang Ke, Director of the Department of Market and Information Technology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, analyzed the reasons for the increase in vegetable prices from four aspects: First, the northern region suffered from autumn floods and floods, and more than 2 million mu of vegetables were affected. The continuous low temperature and lack of sunshine led to the decline of photosynthesis. The growth and development of vegetables is hindered.
Second, the prices of agricultural materials such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides have risen, driving up the production costs of vegetables.
The third is the poor connection of crops due to the disaster in northern vegetables, the increase in cross-regional transportation of some varieties, and the lengthening of transportation distances, coupled with the increase in gasoline and diesel prices, significantly increasing transportation costs.
Fourth, the lack of electricity supply in some major northern provinces that produce vegetables in facilities has affected the intensive seedling and factory production of vegetables.
In addition, the outbreak of new crown pneumonia in individual areas has spread out in spots, which has increased the difficulty of the connection between production and sales.
"But it is clear that throughout the year and the current period including the'two festivals' in the future, the country’s vegetable production is generally normal. The impact of the disaster is partial and staged, and only some varieties are affected, except for spinach, rapeseed, lettuce, and celery. In addition to the slight reduction in production of leafy vegetables due to the disaster, the area and output of other main varieties have increased slightly, and the total supply is sufficient." Tang Ke pointed out.
The data supports the above judgment: Looking at the whole year, it is estimated that the national vegetable area is 320 million mu, and the output is 750 million tons, an increase of about 1% over the previous year.
From the current point of view, the area of vegetables on the field has reached 103 million mu, an increase of 4 million mu year-on-year. It is expected that the vegetable supply will reach 200 million tons before and after the "two festivals".
Tang Ke said, that is to say, can provide 3 catties of vegetables per person per day.
In order to effectively guarantee the supply of vegetables this winter and next spring, especially during the New Year’s Day, the Spring Festival and the Winter Olympics, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will do a good job in the production of vegetables from the "Southern Vegetables Transported to the North" base and facilities in the north to expand market supply; Plant major vegetable varieties, actively guide large-scale business entities to expand planting; pay close attention to weather changes, strengthen monitoring and early warning, dispatch working groups in a timely manner, organize experts and agrotechnical personnel to carry out in-depth technical guidance services; timely release production, circulation, consumption and other information to form The production in the production area can be transported away, the sales area can be adjusted to the supply, and the production supply structure is not out of stock; the mayor responsibility system of the "vegetable basket" is strictly implemented, and the local government, especially the municipal government, is urged to do a good job in the area under its jurisdiction. "Vegetable basket" products are guaranteed to work at stable prices.
The supply of major livestock products in the market is relatively abundant
In addition to the price of vegetables, the price of pork has also attracted much attention.
From June to September this year, the national average price of fat pigs for slaughter fell below the cost line all the way.
The fourth quarter entered the peak season for pork consumption, and market prices have rebounded, with fluctuations stabilizing in recent days.
According to Chen Guanghua, deputy director of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the recent rebound in pork prices is mainly due to consumption, and the fundamentals of relatively loose market supply have not changed.
In October, slaughter enterprises above designated size slaughtered 30.23 million live pigs, a year-on-year increase of 111%.
In the breeding process, since March, the number of newborn piglets in the national-scale pig farms has been over 30 million per month and has continued to grow.
It is expected that from the fourth quarter of this year to the first quarter of next year, the number of fat pigs on the market will increase significantly year-on-year, and the relative oversupply of live pigs will continue for some time.
At present, the national stock of reproductive sows is still 6% more than the normal holding, and it is expected to be adjusted to a reasonable level by the beginning of next year.
Looking at the overall situation of the animal husbandry industry, since this year, the country's animal husbandry production has developed steadily, and the market supply of major livestock products has been relatively abundant.
It is expected that the output of meat and milk this year may hit a record high, and the output of poultry and eggs will remain stable, ensuring a good production basis for market supply during New Year's Day and Spring Festival.
When talking about the increasing consumption of aquatic products, Li Shumin, the first-level inspector of the Fisheries and Fisheries Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, revealed that the national aquatic product output has increased steadily in the first three quarters of this year, and the market price has shown a mild downward trend since August. The supply is guaranteed.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will continue to do a good job in stabilizing the production and supply of aquatic products, strengthen monitoring and scheduling, and closely monitor the breeding production in key areas, key varieties, and critical periods; promote green and healthy breeding, strengthen the prevention and control of aquatic diseases, strengthen production guidance, and stabilize winter Fishery production: Stabilize the aquaculture area and unblock the "green channel" for the transportation of fresh and live aquatic products to prevent sales difficulties and supply cuts.
(Reporter Chen Chen)