Northeastern part of China is facing excessive rain these days, which in turn has delayed the spring plowing by about ten days. Many people have doubts whether the country will be able to reach another increase in the grain harvest this year.
Northeastern China had ploughed 66.323 million mu of farmland by May 9, 2013, which accounts for just 40 percent of the planned acreage, reports say. In the worst case, reduced production of grains will result in increase in food prices, will also increase the inflation rate in the second half of the year and cause food prices to surge in the global market.
Since last autumn, the northeastern part of China has had a heavy rain season. In Heilongjiang province alone, rainfall volume from September 1 to November 1, 2012 reached to 151 millimeters, which is 70 percent higher than the average amount in previous years. Media and local government stated that more than 5.3 million hectares of farmland was waterlogged and conditions in 3.2 million hectares of land were considered to be serious in the province.
Farmers say that they are already two to three weeks behind the usual time to plow the land and plant the seeds.
