China food security: why the nation’s ‘food crisis’ is more of a livestock feed challenge
- China is not producing enough feed grains such as soybeans to support its large and growing livestock industry, meaning it relies on imports
- The deficit is driving concern about food security, an issue analysts say is complicated by geopolitics and dependence on foreign biotechnology
Debate is simmering in China about whether the nation is facing a food crisis.
But amid the headlines, analysts say the nuances of the discussion are being missed; it is less about food security, than feed security.
“The market and public have many misconceptions about China’s food security,” said Dan Wang, chief economist at Hang Seng Bank (China). “China is not facing an immediate or long-term threat of food shortages.
Food security is in reality a feedstock problem, because China cannot produce enough feed grains such as soybeans to support its large and rapidly growing livestock industry
“Food security is in reality a feedstock problem, because China cannot produce enough feed grains such as soybeans to support its large and rapidly growing livestock industry and thus must rely on imports.”
As demand for meat, eggs and milk increases, the need for traditional animal feed such as soybean meal and corn rises with it.
