How China can address threats to food and nutrition security from the COVID-19 outbreak

Chen, Kevin Z.; Zhang, Yumei; Zhan, Yue; Fan, Shenggen; and Si, Wei. 2020. How China can address threats to food and nutrition security from the COVID-19 outbreak. In COVID-19 and global food security, eds. Johan Swinnen and John McDermott. Part One: Food security, poverty, and inequality, Chapter 5, Pp. 26-30. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.133762_05.

Since the beginning of the outbreak in late December, food prices have remained stable in Wuhan, in Hubei province — and in fact, all over China. Supplies of staples, fruits, vegetables, and meats have been adequate despite sporadic reports of price hikes and shortages in isolated locations. But there is no room for complacency. Media reports indicate that the poultry industry is already under stress due to a lack of adequate feed supply and interruptions in the timely marketing of its products. If nothing is done, the poultry supply could begin tightening, and these problems could spread to other industries — creating a food supply hiccup and a threat to food and nutrition security for many.