BEIJING: China on Tuesday launched a decade-long plan to boost consumption of cereal grains and develop the industry through higher production standards, research and international cooperation as part of efforts to enhance food security.

As part of the plan, China said it would “vigorously promote” the health benefits of consuming cereal grains and recommend cereal grain foods in nutritional dietary guidance, particularly in government offices, campuses and military camps. Cereal grains include wheat, corn, rice, barleysorghum buckwheat and oats. A large portion of China’s corn production is for livestock feed.

The 2024-2035 action plan, jointly issued by the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration and other government departments, also encourages companies and private capital to establish development funds to support the whole grain industry. “By 2035, the people’s awareness of cereal grains will be significantly improved, the proportion of cereal grains in residents’ dietary consumption will increase significantly, and the level of cereal grain consumption will basically match the level of (China’s) economic and social development,” it said in a notice to various government agencies.

China is the world’s biggest cereal grain grower, producing 652 million metric tons in 2024. However, it remains reliant on imports of corn, wheat and such to feed its population of 1.4 billion people. For example, China ships large volumes of higher quality wheat from Canada, Australia and Russia to make pasta and baked goods.

The world’s largest grains buyer imported 59.08 million tons of cereal grains and flour in 2023. Raising consumption and quality of its domestic produce will cut China’s demand from the global market.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2024