Imports, climate change threaten agricultural sector despite record production

China's agricultural sector faces threats from surging imports and the intensifying effects of climate change, which could undermine the industry's resilience despite achieving record grain production in 2024, according to two major reports released in Beijing recently.

The findings were unveiled in the China Agricultural Sector Development Report 2025 and the 2025 Global Food Policy Report, presented jointly by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the International Food Policy Research Institute.

Ye Yujiang, vice-president of CAAS, said the reports highlight growing vulnerabilities within the country's food system, exposing it to international market volatility.

China's grain output surpassed 700 million metric tons for the first time last year. However, its reliance on agricultural imports has ballooned, growing from $28.65 billion in 2005 to $215.16 billion in 2024, with an average annual increase of 11.2 percent.

While imports of agricultural products effectively supplement domestic supply and surging consumption, weak competitiveness means that when cheaper foreign products flood the market, domestic producers are hit hard, Ye said.

The reports warn that with a strong link between domestic and international prices for most products besides rice and pork, a 20 percent drop in global prices could trigger a dramatic rise in imports.

China's corn imports would increase by nearly 15 million metric tons and beef by 1.43 million tons, pushing domestic prices below production costs and severely affecting local farmers. The soybean industry, already operating at a loss, would see its situation worsen.

To counter the challenge, the reports proposed a differentiated management strategy for imports. They recommend that staple grains such as rice, wheat and corn be prioritized for self-sufficiency. For soybeans, they call for boosting domestic output while diversifying import channels. They also suggest focusing on innovation to create various domestic beef products from imports.

Moreover, the reports found that rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are poised to disrupt the entire food supply chain, leading to the overall decline of grain output.

According to simulations, a 1 C increase in temperature would reduce the total effective supply of the three main staple grains by 15 million tons.

Increased precipitation, while seemingly beneficial, was found to have a severe negative impact on rice production and to exacerbate post-harvest losses for corn, largely offsetting any gains during the growing season, according to the reports.

The reports also explored enhancing agricultural resilience through dietary changes. Consumption trends such as the EAT-Lancet and Mediterranean diets could significantly reduce pressure on domestic supply and cut agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

A simulation showed that adopting a comprehensive, healthier dietary plan could reduce China's agricultural emissions by 15.57 percent by 2060 compared to the current trajectory.

Such a shift would simultaneously boost the country's self-sufficiency rates and promote sustainable development, the reports added.

zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn