A “clean plate” campaign and social media censorship of exuberant eating videos this year reflect China’s growing fear of food shortages. Disruptions from the pandemic have been compounded by the country’s worst floods in decades. While global harvests remain plentiful, fear of a breakdown in supply chains has put an end to a decade of falling food prices.
China is taking advantage of the glut. Imports of corn and wheat have soared in 2020, helping to lift prices. Further increases to the country’s strategic food supplies are expected.
Around the world, weather patterns remain the biggest risk to global harvests. A severe La Niña weather event contributed to poor harvests and a rise in food prices in 2012.