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An agricultural sector official said on Monday (April 20, 2020) that the farm's production and market activities face severe challenges this year as it faces double threats from imported coronavirus cases and African swine fever.
Pests, drought and floods also present harsher threats than usual to output this year, deputy minister Yu Kangzhen said during a video conference on the outlook for agriculture.
“The control and prevention situation for the African swine fever disease and coronavirus outbreak is complex,” Yu added.
“African swine fever risks have significantly increased with more transport of pigs...The risk of imported coronavirus is still huge and will put considerable pressure on livestock production.”
China’s food industry has been hit by the pandemic that started in the central city of Wuhan late last year, before spreading worldwide to cause 2.3 million infections and more than 159,000 deaths.
But strict nationwide lockdown and quarantines disrupted China’s supply chains and made it difficult for many industries to find enough workers.
The African swine fever disease cut pork supplies, by slashing China’s pig herd by at least 40%.
“Some countries have began measures to limit food exports and increase procurement for reserves,” said Yu, adding that global trade and markets are battling uncertainty brought by the pandemic that has caused some major price fluctuations. Find more...
Source: Online/SZK
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