Can China’s grain reserves protect food security against El Nino?

Amid mounting global concern over food security risks posed by the El Nino weather pattern, Chinese officials have moved to reassure the public that national grain reserves remain well above international safety thresholds.

“China has a solid foundation and sufficient capacity to withstand risks and challenges such as El Nino,” said Li Chao, an official from the National Development and Reform Commission, at a press conference on Tuesday.

The remarks followed comments on Monday by Liu Huanxin, head of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, who said the domestic grain market had held steady despite volatility in global food markets.

Liu noted that China operated a multi-tiered reserve system covering central and local government stockpiles alongside private sector inventories. He stressed that the nation’s stock-to-consumption ratio – the share of stored grain relative to demand – remained “significantly above” the 17 to 18 per cent benchmark recommended by international agencies.