China's grain supply stable amid global food security challenges

China's grain supply has remained generally stable, and its food security reliably safeguarded, despite a strengthening El Nino phenomenon, geopolitical conflicts and rising fertilizer prices that are adding uncertainty to global food security, a senior official said on Monday.

Liu Huanxin, head of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, said the factors affecting global food production require close attention, scientific assessment and proactive responses.

Liu said international grain markets have experienced fluctuations to varying degrees, but China's grain market has remained generally stable.

"China's food security is reliably safeguarded," Liu said at a news conference held by the State Council Information Office, highlighting resilient production, a comprehensive reserve system and a strong processing industry.

Grain production has become more resilient in recent years as policies supporting farmers and grain production have taken effect, while the country's vast territory allows for complementary regional supply, Liu said.

China's annual grain output has remained above 650 million metric tons since 2015, he said. It surpassed 700 million metric tons for the first time in 2024 and reached 715 million metric tons in 2025. Per capita grain availability exceeded 500 kilograms, above the global average, he said.

The country has also established a grain reserve system covering both government and corporate reserves.

"Total grain inventories across society remain well above the international food security warning level of 17 to 18 percent of annual consumption," Liu said, adding that the reserves can be used to regulate supply and demand and stabilize the market in the event of abnormal fluctuations.

The grain processing industry also provides an important buffer for food security, Liu said.

The country has about 24,000 grain-processing enterprises covering a wide range of sectors, including finished grain and edible oil processing, as well as feed processing. The annual industrial output value of grain enterprises exceeds 4 trillion yuan ($597 billion), he said.

Processing capacity for staple products such as flour, rice and edible oil is sufficient to meet the consumption needs of the country's population, he added.