Frost and rain have ruined more wheat in China than previously estimated: Report
Weather damage in China’s northern grain belt may have ruined more than 20 million metric tons of the wheat crop, or 16 percent, which is double the volume previously estimated, said a report.
“Higher imports, which have already been revised upwards on initial damage reports, will further shrink global supplies and support prices, fuelling new worries over global food security.”
“The harvest was terrible”
Farmers in Henan, China’s top wheat producing Province, say frost in the growing period and rainstorms during the harvest have slashed production by 40 percent compared with 2012, the report said .
Global wheat output is forecast to rise this year, but will still fall below demand resulting in the lowest wheat stocks since 2008/09.
In 2012, China accounted for about 20 percent of global wheat production and consumption.
China is expected to become top wheat buyer in 2014, eclipsing Egypt as the world’s top importer, the report said.
The crop damage in China is adding to concerns over global food supplies following the crop quality downgrades experienced by the United States and the Black Sea region due to adverse weather.
Exclusive: China may become top wheat importer after crops ruined
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The Big Picture
FIRE-EARTH population model shows mass die-offs resulting from human impact on the planet and the planetary response to the anthropogenic harm could occur by early 2016.
FIRE-EARTH Climate Models show climate change forcings and feedbacks switching global weather patterns onto “primordial tracks.”
The extreme weather events triggered by anthropogenic climate change have a four-prong impact on humans over the next 50 months [forecast released in 2011.] FIRE-EARTH models forecast:
1. Food production:
- Average decline of 22% in the global agricultural output
- Loss of topsoil and worsening of soil quality
- Rapid Climate Change & Extreme Weather Events
- Drought and Deluge
- Extremes of Temperature
- Heatwaves and Late Frosts
- Desertification and Dust Storms
- Crop Pests
- Increases in the size and occurrence of dead zones
- Large decline in marine food sources
2. Spread of Disease
- Substantial increases in the spread of diseases
- Vector borne
- Air borne
- Water borne
- Food borne
- Superbugs: Emergence of resistant bacteria, especially MDR bacteria
- Resurgence of killer infectious diseases
- Increases in the spread of human immunodeficiency viruses
- Significant decline in air quality (and corresponding increase in chronic respiratory diseases)
- Other viral diseases
- Massive rises in mental illnesses
3. Physical Safety
Major increases in the number of deaths and injuries, as well as large scale displacements due to the loss of shelter and livelihood caused by extreme weather and geophysical events including:
- Tornadoes
- Hurricanes
- Storms and Extreme Weather
- Climate Change
- Extreme Rain Events
- Flash Flooding
- Drought and Deluge
- Landslides
- Extremes of Temperature
- Deforestation
- Wildfires
- Loss of “Seasons”
- Earthquakes*
- Tsunamis*
- Volcanic activity*
- Nuclear Incidents
- Oil Spills
- Chemical and Biological Threats
- Poisoned and Polluted Environment (Air, Water and Soil pollution)
- Ozone Depletion (Ozone Holes)
4. The Combined Effect
Social upheavals, regional conflicts and wars caused by mass migrations and scarcity of basic resources resulting from the combined effects of the above, as well as other mechanisms.
July 17, 2013 – SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN –
969 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
Fire Earth 