Drought could cause China’s lowest wheat harvest since 2018

In 2025, China’s wheat harvest could fall by 5% to 133-135 million tons, the lowest since 2018, due to a prolonged drought and high temperatures that have hit key agricultural provinces, Bloomberg reported, citing a survey of traders and analysts.

“The weather has really become abnormal – there is no rain when it is needed,” said a farmer from Hebei province named Li.

According to him, additional irrigation saved the wheat crop, but now farmers are waiting for rains to sow corn in late June.

Despite the expected decline in production, experts do not predict a serious shortage – this is due to large stocks and weak domestic demand. However, this is an unpleasant signal for the government, which is betting on food security.

The Chinese government is already responding to the situation, mobilizing farmers to increase irrigation and providing emergency funds, but rising costs are burdening low-profit farms. The problems are also being exacerbated by pest infestations, according to state media.

Tags: wheat, drought, China