Hot, dry weather threatens China’s wheat production

Hot and dry weather threatens the wheat harvest in China’s main grain region, Henan Province. The risks to production of the key food product have arisen at a time when Beijing is making efforts to ensure food security amid a trade war with the United States, Bloomberg writes.

Henan authorities warned that from Sunday to Tuesday, most of the region expects “risks of hot and dry winds” with temperatures up to 35 ° C and low soil moisture. This could negatively affect crop growth.

Without measures to mitigate the effects of climate change, China may be forced to increase wheat imports to ensure high-quality grain supplies.

Last year, China’s purchases of grain and wheat fell sharply after the authorities advised traders to limit imports to support domestic prices and farmers.

Authorities urge farmers to irrigate fields in a timely manner and apply fertilizers and plant protection products to reduce the risk of crop failure, the official account of the Henan government on WeChat reported.

Henan province accounts for almost a third of China’s total wheat production, about 38 million tonnes in 2024. The weather service said drought in the north of the country would continue for the next 10 days, while heavy rains were expected in the south, which could damage rapeseed crops and flood fields.

Tags: wheat, China