Heavy Floods In China Raise Concerns Of Food Shortage

Large swathes of crops including paddy have been destroyed by heavy floods in China, leading to further challenges to food security. The authorities have warned of more rains in the coming days. The Russia-Ukraine war has already led to food shortages pushing global prices. Food imports could only rise for the world’s second-largest economy, which is battling several other economic challenges.

Severe weather fluctuations from floods to droughts in China, which has 1.4 billion people, have become a cause for concern.

Xinhua News said that to prevent floods in the southern parts of China, the ministry activated a level IV emergency response for the provinces of Zhejiang and Anhui on Saturday.

It also maintains its level III emergency response for Guangdong and Guangxi, as well as the level IV emergency response for Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, and Yunnan. Rice is one of the major crops grown in Fujian, Hunan and Jiangxi, wheat is grown in Guizhou.

China’s President Xi Jinping, who has outlined food security as a priority, has said that the rice bowl of the country must be firmly kept in Chinese hands.

Tags: floods, rice, crops, imports, paddy, food security, food, global prices, droughts, rains, shortages, China