China's Jilin Province Worried About COVID-19 Spread in Cornfields

Jilin Province as Severe as Shanghai... Planting Delays Expected Due to Movement Restrictions
Concerns Over Side Effects Such as Rising International Corn Prices if Crop Conditions Worsen

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Voices expressing concerns about a corn crisis originating from China are emerging within the country. The worry stems from the spread of COVID-19 in Jilin Province. Jilin is a major corn cultivation area, accounting for about 10% of the total production. Along with Shanghai, Jilin is identified as one of the places in China where the COVID-19 spread is at a serious level.

Photo by Global Times capture

The state-run Global Times reported on the 7th that the spread of COVID-19 could delay the corn planting season in Jilin Province by more than 20 days.

Out of the total 5.72 million hectares of cultivated land in Jilin Province, about 80%, or 4.4 million hectares, are corn fields. Jilin accounts for 10% of China's total corn cultivation area. In other words, Jilin itself is China's cornfield.

The provincial capital of Jilin, Changchun, has reported a total of 60,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases since March 1. Jilin Province is currently under movement restrictions. As of midnight on the 6th, there were 890 newly confirmed cases and 1,546 asymptomatic infections reported in Jilin.

The Global Times cited COVID-19 case estimation statistics from Peking University, stating that the number of confirmed cases in Jilin is expected to peak around the end of May. The spread of COVID-19 is projected to continue through June.

The media outlet estimated that the cumulative confirmed cases in Jilin would reach 120,000 (excluding asymptomatic infections) by the end of May. It added that the corn planting season begins in May, and due to movement restrictions, corn planting could be delayed by more than 20 days.

Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Jilin authorities have decided to implement a special "green channel" for corn farmers, according to the Global Times. Farmers with negative test certificates are allowed to move to their cultivation fields. Most farmers spend the winter in Changchun and Jilin City and move to corn fields around April, but they are currently stuck due to movement restrictions.

Fertilizer prices are also a problem. Due to rising international raw material prices, fertilizer costs have increased, adding to the burden on corn farmers. The delay in planting could further exacerbate the damage to corn farmers like a snowball effect.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

An official from a fertilizer company in Jilin said, "Due to rising fertilizer prices and movement restrictions, 70% of the stored fertilizer remains in warehouses," adding, "Corn farmers are facing double hardships." There are concerns that depending on this year's corn crop, shortages could occur.

It is known that the breakeven point for corn farmers in northeastern China is 400 to 500 yuan per 1 myo (243㎡, 74 pyeong). The profit from corn cultivation is about 1,700 to 1,800 yuan per 1 myo. Due to increased fertilizer prices, farmers' profits may decrease. Also, delayed planting could reduce the yield per 1 myo.

Some in China are concerned that the delayed corn planting and resulting decrease in yield could lead to increased corn imports by China, which may also affect international corn prices. China produced 272.2 million tons of corn last year and imported 28.35 million tons.

The Global Times added that unlike Shanghai, Jilin shows a "U-shaped" pattern with fewer asymptomatic infections and expects Jilin to return to normal soon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.