China intensifies wheat sowing efforts amid heavy rains

China has launched a 60-day campaign to secure winter wheat planting in the main North China Plain wheat belt, the government announced Monday, after heavy rains left fields overly wet, threatening to delay sowing and disrupt next year’s grain supply.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will implement targeted measures to enhance planting in wet conditions, address late sowing, and improve field management before winter, according to a ministry statement. Seven working groups have been dispatched to key provinces to coordinate efforts.

Farmers in the region—currently harvesting corn while sowing winter wheat—are racing to salvage their corn crops as persistent rains hinder harvesting and risk damaging grain quality, with some corn already sprouting or developing mold.

In a separate statement, the National Bureau of Statistics reported that the region experienced unfavorable wet weather during the harvest period, impacting autumn grain production, which accounts for about 75% of China’s annual grain output. Nationwide, however, autumn grain production remains generally stable, with another bumper harvest expected this year.

The National Meteorological Center warned that continued cloudy and rainy weather this week will keep soils excessively wet, further delaying both harvesting and wheat sowing in parts of the region. No official crop damage reports have been released.

Tags: China, corn, wheat, harvesting