Crnews.net:
In 2023, China achieved another abundant grain harvest, but the country still imports a considerable volume of grain. How does the MARA view this situation? Thank you.
Chen Bangxun:
The issue of grain is a matter of great concern for everyone, and the import and export volumes are also key focuses. As we all know, China is a populous country and a major grain consumer. The country's food security strategy is based on the principle of "prioritizing domestic production, relying on ourselves, ensuring production capacity, moderate imports, and technological support" to safeguard national food security. Appropriately utilizing international grain sources to fill the gap in production and demand for products in short supply and improve the variety structure has played a crucial role in ensuring the stability of grain supply and prices. According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China imported 160 million tons of grain in 2023, representing a year-on-year increase of 11.7%. In terms of structure, soybeans still dominate imports, accounting for over 60% of total grain imports. The total annual import volume of soybeans reached 99.41 million tons, a growth of 11.4% compared to the previous year. Importing such a large quantity of soybeans serves two purposes: meeting the demand for edible vegetable oil consumption and fulfilling the need for soybean meal in livestock and poultry feed.
Currently, China is deeply engaged in the international agricultural product market, both importing and exporting products. China's agricultural product imports rank first in the world, making it a major global market for agricultural products. Additionally, its agricultural product exports rank fifth in the world, as high-quality agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, and aquatic products are exported to the international market. In 2023, China's agricultural product exports reached $98.93 billion, a 0.9% increase compared to the previous year.
How is the food security situation in China? It can be assessed from aspects such as production, structure, and inventory. First, there have been consecutive years of abundant harvests. China's grain production has remained stable at over 1.3 trillion jin (650 billion kilograms) for nine consecutive years, with a per capita grain availability exceeding 490 kilograms, surpassing the international food security standard of 400 kilograms per capita. Second, the variety structure has been optimized. The production of staple grains consistently exceeds demand, ensuring an absolute guarantee. The supply of high-quality rice and specialized wheat has increased. For corn, which has a high demand increment, there has been a significant increase in production, leading to a notable improvement in the supply-demand situation. The expansion of soybean cultivation has shown significant results, further improving self-sufficiency levels. Third, there is an ample grain inventory. Currently, China's grain inventory-to-consumption ratio is far higher than the safety level of 17% to 18% proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Therefore, it can be said that China's grain production has increased, the structure is optimized, and the reserves are sufficient, ensuring food security. In the next steps, we will further implement the strategy of sustainable farmland use and innovative application of agricultural technology for national food security, focusing on the key aspects of seeds and arable land, and strengthening supportive policies, so as to reinforce the foundations for food security on all fronts, and keep ourselves well-positioned for national food security. Thank you.
