China food prices spike as anti-virus effort disrupts supply


PTI, Mar 10, 2020, 1:35 PM IST

Beijing: China’s food prices jumped 21.4 per cent over a year earlier in February as anti-virus efforts disrupted supplies, adding to pressure on communist leaders who are trying to revive economic activity.

Overall consumer prices rose 5.2 per cent over a year ago, down from January’s eight-year high of 5.4 per cent but well above the ruling Communist Party’s traditional annual target, government data showed Tuesday.

Pork prices, which have more than doubled over the past year due to an outbreak of African swine fever that disrupted supplies, rose by 9.3 per cent compared with January.

The government reported no year-on-year price increase.

The price of fresh vegetables rose 9.5 per cent over a year ago.

The government has yet to announce this year’s inflation target, but in previous years it has tried to keep consumer price increases below 3 per cent.

Food prices spiked after panic buying in January sparked by the suspension of most access to Wuhan, the city at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak.

The government announced a crackdown on hoarding and price gouging.

Travel and other controls disrupted shipments of food to crowded Chinese cities and animal feed to farmers.

That left supermarket shelves temporarily depleted and depressed the flow of poultry and livestock to slaughterhouses.

The ruling party ordered local officials to speed supplies to markets.

The coronavirus hit as Chinese leaders were struggling to rebuild the country’s pork industry following the outbreak of African swine fever, which killed or prompted authorities to destroy more than 1 million animals. Farmers allowed herds to dwindle.

The government is promising farmers subsidies and other aid, but industry analysts say China’s pig herd won’t return to normal size until next year.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Balasore tragedy result of composite negligence of railway officials: Orissa High Court

Actress Kasthuri stokes controversy by her remarks on Telugu-speaking people in TN

Three convicted for 2016 Kollam collectorate blast case

Expect Canadian government to ensure justice, uphold rule of law: PM Modi

Lone tusker spotted on NH-166 near Karkala, disrupts traffic

Lokayukta police summon Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah for questioning in MUDA case on Wednesday

Not ‘kaun banega mukhyamantri’ contest; MVA to name CM pick after polls: Jairam Ramesh

Related Articles More

Expect Canadian government to ensure justice, uphold rule of law: PM Modi

Khalistanis clash with people at Hindu temple in Canada, Trudeau says unacceptable

Trump says he would not mind somebody ‘shooting’ at him through fake news

US Elections: New Iowa poll shows Kamala Harris leading in presidential race

India-US partnership most important globally for future: Democratic leader Makhija

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

Balasore tragedy result of composite negligence of railway officials: Orissa High Court

Actress Kasthuri stokes controversy by her remarks on Telugu-speaking people in TN

Three convicted for 2016 Kollam collectorate blast case

Expect Canadian government to ensure justice, uphold rule of law: PM Modi

Group clash in Indore after argument over bursting firecrackers: NSA slapped against 2 accused

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.