According to an investigation by the South China Morning Post, Chinese farmers have lost nearly half of their grain harvest in recent weeks due to a combination of previous drought, current floods, and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Moreover, African Swine Fever threatens to spread over a much larger area due to the floods. Chinese state media also report millions of drowned animals.
The floods, which began in early June, continue in the Yangtze River, Huai River, and Yellow River basins, all of which are important grain-producing regions. So far this year, a total of 27 Chinese provinces have been affected by flooding.
Due to the decline in grain production, the Chinese food supply chain risks disruption: rice, wheat, and corn are essential components of the national diet. The losses also endanger plans for self-sufficiency in food production. Food security has become a political issue in China due to the trade and tariff war initiated by US President Trump.
The issue of food security has led President Xi Jinping to order the population not to waste food. His message, launched last week, is part of a nationwide campaign. Chinese restaurants are now serving smaller portions to customers, while catering companies and food suppliers propose programs to change Chinese eating habits.
Chairman Xi Jinping's call is seen as confirmation that the country is struggling with shortages of grain and pork after months of flooding, insect plagues, African Swine Fever, and the impact of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).
This is the second time within a month that President Xi has given instructions regarding the grain harvest in China. On July 22, Xi toured cornfields in Jilin Province, reported Beijing Review. Meanwhile, food prices in China rose about 10 percent in July, while pork prices surged by 86 percent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
The latter can be attributed to the loss of 180 million pigs, or 40 percent of the national livestock, to African Swine Fever last year and new outbreaks this year following the floods.
Other severe problems threatening China's food supply are insect plagues. The FAW caterpillar plague feeding on corn has been observed in nearly all provinces, driving corn prices to a five-year high.
Another major threat to Chinese crops is swarms of locusts that have chewed their way through Asia. Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs ordered pesticide spraying in regions of Yunnan Province in the northeastern border area with Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.