China prioritises food security amid COVID-19 outbreak

Subject

The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on food and agriculture in China.

Significance

Transport bottlenecks and restrictions have interrupted supplies of feed to pig and poultry farmers. As spring planting approaches, crop farmers depend on the delivery of farm inputs to maintain yields and guarantee future supplies of rice, wheat, corn and other grains.

Impacts

• Bankruptcies among small and medium-sized poultry farms may hasten efficiency-enhancing consolidation of the industry.
• Social distancing requirements will boost mechanised and high-tech farming, supported by government subsidies.
• Tight meat supplies are likely to persist, at least in the short term.