February 9, 2011

 

Drought jeopardises China's winter wheat crop 

 

 

China's winter wheat crop is in jeopardy due to a drought that has also caused a lack of drinking water for livestock and people, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

 

The UN FAO said Tuesday (Feb 8) that the North China Plain drought is already putting pressure on wheat prices in China, with average flour ones rising more than 8% in January compared to the previous two months.

 

The region, including Shandong, Jiangsu, Henan, Hebei and Shanxi provinces, produces most of China's winter wheat, which is harvested in June. Low precipitation has meant there has not been enough snowfall to protect dormant plants from frost.