Typhoons Khanun, Doksuri add to China’s food security headache, as export bans push up global prices
- Deadly rains in China have flooded fields and damaged crops, adding to concerns over Beijing’s food security drive and self-sufficiency push
- India, Russia and the UAE have also recently announced rice export bans at a time when China has suffered its first drop in its summer harvest since 2018
Torrential rain brought by two successive typhoons has added to concerns over China’s food security, which is already under pressure as export bans from the likes of India have pushed up global prices, pushing officials and researchers to warn of a “severe impact” on agricultural production.
Typhoon Doksuri made landfall in China on Friday, and its remnants, along with the arrival of Typhoon Khanun this week, have flooded fields and damaged crops in northern China, with agricultural authorities worried about the potential effect on the northeast grain production base.
A number of countries, including major supplier India, have also recently announced rice export bans, raising concerns over price surges and panic buying despite sufficient domestic supply.
It’s another alert for unusual weather we’re increasingly seeing, which is definitely bringing growing detrimental effects on crop yields
“The rain caused floods in parts of northern China, but will have limited influence on overall production,” said Ma Wenfeng, an analyst with Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultant.
“However, it’s another alert for unusual weather we’re increasingly seeing, which is definitely bringing growing detrimental effects on crop yields.”
At least 20 people in Beijing and Hebei province have died as a result of the downpours, and according to a the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Wednesday, Beijing has allocated 432 million yuan (US$60.1 million) in financial help for agricultural producers.
But there is still “great uncertainty” about the short-term impact, while disaster reduction will be “extremely difficult and challenging”, the ministry added.