Over 80% of China’s winter wheat sown

China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs reported that by mid-November, over 80% of the country’s winter wheat had been sown. The Huang-Huai-Hai region leads with nearly 85% of its crop planted. In Shandong and Shaanxi provinces, planting is approaching 90%, Henan is near 80%, Anhui has surpassed 80%, and Jiangsu is around 65%.

At the same time, winter rapeseed sowing is nearly complete. Persistent autumn rains delayed wheat planting in some areas, but local authorities intensified efforts to catch up. Anhui mapped over 43 million mu (2.87 million hectares) of wheat fields and implemented deep tillage to improve soil conditions for sowing.

Henan focuses on precise land preparation and seeding to maintain over 85 million mu under wheat. Jiangsu prioritizes mechanized uniform-seeding technology, supported by 13 provincial expert teams providing farm-level guidance. In Shandong, where planting lags for more than 60 million mu, authorities are deploying contingency measures for wet soils and late sowing.

Experts note that winter grains are a cornerstone of China’s food security, ensuring stable production and supporting the processing industry. Their longer growing cycle helps buffer against climate variability and strengthens rural livelihoods.

Timely sowing of winter wheat is critical for crop rotation, allowing farmers to plant corn or soybeans after the wheat harvest, improving land-use efficiency. Despite autumn rains causing temporary delays in Shandong and Henan, sowing quickly resumed, with added moisture even aiding germination. Modern mechanization—from soil preparation to sowing and fertilization—reduces weather-related risks and substantially increases productivity.

Tags: China, wheat, rapeseed