The south China Post reports that 4 million hectares of farmland are facing drought and cold weather threats which could further depress wheat production in China during the coming year. Unusually dry weather since October has affected more than four million hectares of crops, mainly wheat, across northern and eastern provinces including Henan , Shandong , Jiangsu and Anhui , Xinhua reported. Premier Wen Jiabao paid a weekend visit to central Henan, an important grain production base where no rain has fallen for more than 100 days. Wen urged more investment to fight the drought, particularly to build water projects, saying it was of great significance to combat the current drought and ensure agricultural production. While the north remained thirsty, southern areas have suffered heavy snow and serious frosts, hampering the transport of vegetables to the north. This will lead to increased wheat imports along with forecasted increases in corn and soybean imports.

UkrAgroConsult