The food problem has always been a major problem plaguing the world. Since the spread of the global new crown pneumonia epidemic in 2020, the international food market has experienced great fluctuations, coupled with the impact of locust plagues, extreme weather and other factors, making global food security and shortages more serious. Recently, a United Nations research report issued an early warning that a total of 25 countries are at risk of severe hunger this year, and the world is on the verge of the worst food crisis in at least 50 years.

The "global food shortage" ushered in the darkest moment. What is the current situation of the countries in the world? Will there be a food crisis in China?

01Multiple factors lead to the world food crisis

The new crown pneumonia epidemic, locust plague, typhoon, forest fire... Countries around the world are facing an unprecedented crisis.

On July 13, the "State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020" released by the five United Nations agencies showed that there will be 130 million more hungry people this year, and 690 million people in the world are hungry.

Many countries are in a state of food shortage

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 11 percent of U.S. households were already “food insecure” in 2018. A new study by the University of Arkansas shows that in some U.S. states, nearly half of respondents report that the new crown pneumonia pandemic threatens food safety.

This global catastrophe has exacerbated the already severe world food problem, and it is undoubtedly worse for countries that are in short supply of food.

People in Kenya are seeking food aid, triggering a stampede.

In Kenya's slums, thousands of people are already queuing for food relief.

In India, workers who survive on daily wages line up in long lines for food.

Affected by the locust plague, food production in India, Pakistan and other countries has been seriously damaged. Indian scholars predict that the locust plague may reduce India's food production by 30%-50%, which will have a greater impact on the country's food supply and exports.

In addition, East Africa has experienced the worst locust plague in decades, and food reserves in many countries and regions are already stretched.

02 The world's food supply chain is under enormous pressure

The spread of the new crown pneumonia epidemic has caused grain-producing countries to significantly reduce production, and some grain-exporting countries have begun to restrict grain exports out of national security concerns. Vietnam, Russia, Thailand, Serbia and other countries once announced to ban or slow down grain exports, disrupting the international grain import and export order.

At the same time, many food-importing countries have announced that their reserves are in a hurry. For example, in the Philippines, a large part of its domestic rice supply relies on imports from Vietnam. Vietnam's restrictions on rice exports have raised concerns about food supplies in the Philippines.

The world food supply chain is in an emergency. Will the "rice bags" of the Chinese people be affected?

If the world's food supply chain is really in an emergency, as the world's largest food importer, does my country have enough capacity to deal with this possible food crisis?

"If you have food in your hands, don't panic in your heart." Where does the confidence of my country's food security come from?

Confidence 1: Grain output grows steadily

The total grain output has reached a new level

In 2010, my country's total grain output exceeded 550 million tons, in 2012 it exceeded 600 million tons, in 2015 it reached 660 million tons, and it has been stable at over 650 million tons for four consecutive years. The output in 2018 was nearly 660 million tons, nearly six times the 110 million tons in 1949, and the fluctuation range of grain output was basically stable within a reasonable range.

The per capita food availability is stable above the world average level

In 2019, my country's per capita grain possession reached about 470 kilograms, an increase of 126% from 209 kilograms when the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, and far higher than the international food security standard of 400 kilograms per capita.

Significant increase in yield per unit area

In 2010, my country's average grain output per hectare exceeded 5,000 kilograms, and in 2018 it reached 5,621 kilograms.

Confidence 2 High food self-sufficiency rate

Taking my country's three major rations—rice, wheat, and corn—as an example, the average domestic self-sufficiency rate of the three is over 97%.

According to the data of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the General Administration of Customs, in 2019-2020, the total annual consumption of rice is about 197 million tons, and the annual domestic output of rice is about 199 million tons. In terms of rice imports, in 2019-2020, domestic imports are expected to be 2.5 million tons, and imports account for 1.3% of consumption. There is no import dependence problem.

In 2019-2020, the annual domestic wheat output is about 118 million tons, and the total annual consumption is about 112 million tons. In 2019-2020, domestic wheat imports are expected to be 3.5 million tons, with imports accounting for 3% of consumption, and there is no import dependence.

The annual domestic corn import volume is about 4 million tons. Compared with my country's annual consumption of more than 200 million tons, imports account for less than 3% of consumption, and there is also no import dependence.

As the "world's largest grain importer", compared with rice and wheat, my country's real grain imports are mainly soybeans and coarse grains, with more than 100 million tons of grain imported each year. Rice and wheat imports are generally 2 million tons and 4 million tons, accounting for 1% to 2% of the total domestic consumption respectively, mainly for the adjustment of varieties.

Confidence 3: Adequate grain reserves

my country's grain production has been stable at more than 600 million tons for seven consecutive years. As of 2019, my country's grain production has achieved "16 consecutive harvests", and the surplus grain is quite sufficient.

In 2018, there were a total of 670 million tons of standard grain warehouses and 240 million tons of simple warehouses nationwide, and the total effective warehouse capacity increased by 31.9% compared with 1996. The total capacity of edible oil tanks is 28 million tons, an increase of 7 times compared with 1996. The capacity for safe grain storage continued to increase.

Regarding this possible food security problem, Yuan Longping said that China is fully capable of achieving self-sufficiency in food production, and there will be no "grain shortage", but the string of ensuring food security cannot be relaxed for a moment. Alarm bells.

Complete grain reserve control system

In the past 20 years, my country has established and continuously improved the central and local grain reserve system and coordination mechanism. From the current point of view, my country's grain and oil stocks are at a historically high level, and both central and local grain reserves are very abundant.

Corresponding food emergency security mechanism

my country has also established a corresponding emergency food security mechanism for various public emergencies, natural disasters, etc. Large and medium-sized cities have generally established reserves of finished products such as rice, noodles, oil, etc., which can meet the local supply for 10 to 15 days, and have a solid material basis for regulation.

The spring ploughing situation is good, and the summer grain harvest is a foregone conclusion

This year, the spring ploughing situation is good, and my country's summer grains have been harvested again. According to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs recently, the output of summer grain this year reached 285.6 billion catties, an increase of 2.42 billion catties, a year-on-year increase of 0.9% and a record high. Under the epidemic, the summer grain harvest has been a bumper harvest, which once again strengthened the confidence and confidence in holding the "Chinese rice bowl".

Cang Lin is truly safe in the world

Chinese people's rice bowl anytime

They will all be firmly in their own hands!