China produced a total of 700 million tons of grain in 2024, reaching a historic high, the National Bureau of Statistics said Friday.
The milestone follows China's first grain output of 650 million tons in 2015.
One reason for the impressive number is China's commitment to developing high-standard farmland. The country has over 1 billion mu (about 66.67 million hectares) of high-standard farmland currently, up from less than 400 million mu a decade ago.
The yield from high-standard farmland can increase by up to 100 kilograms per mu compared to that of common land.
Now, high-standard farmland comprises more than 52 percent of the total cultivated land in the country, providing a strong foundation for increased grain production.
Another reason is China's efforts to enhance the variety and quality of seeds.
Over the past decade, China has promoted a total of 753 regionally adaptive dominant varieties across the country, with the contribution rate of improved seeds to increased production exceeding 45 percent.
Various regions in China have adjusted their planting structure and expanded the area dedicated to high-yield corn crops, especially by promoting farming techniques such as dense planting, with some regions increasing the number of plants per mu by 300 to 400.
In addition, regions have also identified counties focusing on overall yield improvement, allowing them to take the lead in promoting integrated technologies.
"This year, the wheat yield in counties focusing on overall yield improvement has increased by about 5.1 percent compared to last year, leading to an average increase of around 10 kilograms per mu in wheat production," said Han Yijun, a chief scientist of industrial economics of the China Agriculture Research System (CARS).
China's policies for benefiting farmers have also played a significant role in the growth of grain output. This year, the country has enhanced its support for grain production, providing full cost insurance and planting income insurance for the three major staple grains. It has also raised the minimum purchase prices for wheat and early indica rice, effectively boosting farmers' enthusiasm for grain production.
In addition, the country is also cultivating new types of agribusiness, with nearly 4 million family farms and over 2.2 million farmers' cooperatives established.
China produces 700 mln tons of grain in 2024: data
As the uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration's tariff policies fuels inflationary fears in the United States, a number of consumers have resorted to panic buying amid growing concerns that costs could shoot up.
With price hikes expected on goods such as automobiles, beauty products, and even on everyday food items, many residents say they have been rushing out to stock up before prices climb even further.
In recent street interviews with the China Global Television Network (CGTN), New York residents shared how the impact of the ongoing tariff war is affecting their daily lives.
"Actually, I already have. I've already started stocking up. My mother has a whole stockpile, and she's panicking. But I told her we're going to be okay, as we live in New York City," said Amelia Guilford, a retail worker who was visiting her mother in the city.
With many anticipating a rise in inflation, many Americans are concerned about the long-term financial impact, and say they are now being more prudent with their money.
"I think we have to [spend more carefully]. Because otherwise you're going to be in real trouble economically or in debt, because if you spend more than what you get, that's going to be a lot of trouble," said Jose Pena, a janitor.
The tariffs, which directly affect the price of imported goods, have led to predictions of significant price increases, particularly on goods coming from China, which has been the biggest target of the tariffs.
"[Products] from China are going to be more expensive. I cannot exactly name what kind of products one by one, but every one that comes from China is going to be more expensive, without a doubt," said Pena.
Public frustration is evident, with some questioning the logic behind U.S. President Donald Trump's risky and unpredictable pursuit of tariffs on other countries, as the debate over the long-term consequences of the policy intensifies.
"I think he's just making enemies, and I trust him not. And I think he's making a mess of everything. I think it's all going to come around and flip back. The changes he's doing are completely unsustainable," said Lois Adams, a nurse, as she expressed her disapproval of Trump's approach.
Ordinary Americans are facing up to the harsh reality of rising prices and remain anxious about the future economic impact of the continuing trade war.
Jerome Wilkins, a security worker, voiced concerns about the broader societal implications of the tariffs, warning it will again be the poorest people who suffer the most.
"I think that the tariffs are horrible. I think that it's like privatizing America, and instead of America being a country for the people, it's a corporation for the rich. And it's just for them to get richer, while the poor get poorer. And that's basically how I feel," said Wilkins.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government announced it would raise tariffs on all imported U.S. goods from 34 percent to 84 percent, effective Wednesday, in response to the U.S. decision to escalate its "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese products, further adding to the economic strain.
Tariff war triggers panic buying in US, raising public concerns over rising costs
