Heat and drought could reduce wheat yields in China

Wheat harvests in Henan province, a key grain producing region in China, are being threatened by hot, dry weather, a potential drop in production of the strategically important food crop as Beijing seeks to bolster food security amid a trade war with the United States, Bloomberg reported.

 

Local authorities have warned that from Sunday to Tuesday, most of Henan will be affected by "hot and dry winds" with temperatures of up to 35°C and low soil moisture levels, which could negatively affect crop formation.

 

In the absence of climate change mitigation measures, China may have to increase wheat imports to ensure necessary supplies.

 

China's grain and wheat imports fell significantly last year after the government advised traders to limit purchases to support domestic prices and farmers.

 

The Henan government has urged farmers to irrigate fields, apply fertilizers, and use plant protection products in a timely manner to reduce the risk of crop loss, according to a message on the provincial government's official WeChat page.

 

Henan province provides almost a third of the country's total wheat production - about 38 million tons in 2024. According to meteorologists, the drought in northern China will last for another ten days, while in the south, rains are expected that could damage rapeseed crops and cause flooding of fields.