Premier Li Qiang pledges to protect autumn grain harvest amid El Nino concerns
During a three-day tour of Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces, Premier Li Qiang emphasized the need to secure a strong autumn harvest, which accounts for about three-quarters of China's annual grain output. He called for better field management and policy support to ensure food self-sufficiency. The visit comes as global banks warn of potential grain crises due to El Nino and regional conflicts.
Li Qiang's inspection focused on the northeastern breadbasket region, where Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces combined to produce roughly one-fifth of China's grain last year. His itinerary included farms, research institutes, and agricultural companies, with direct assessments of soybean, corn, and rice fields now entering their critical growth phase.
The premier's remarks come as global investment banks increasingly flag risks from El Nino conditions and Middle East-related disruptions to commodity and fertilizer shipments. Beijing has long prioritized reducing import dependence, with the autumn harvest representing roughly three-quarters of annual domestic grain output needed to sustain the country's 1.4 billion population.
This pledge could reassure domestic food markets and stabilize expectations for grain prices, particularly for consumers and agricultural businesses reliant on steady supply. However, if extreme weather or input shortages undermine yields despite government intervention, urban populations and livestock producers may face higher costs. The emphasis on self-sufficiency could also influence China's import patterns, potentially affecting global grain trade flows and exporting nations that depend on Chinese demand.