Global Layout, Steady Progress: Mid-Continent Fed Helps National Food Security

Food security is an important component of national security. With the acceleration of the process of global economic integration, the volatility of international markets and the frequent occurrence of extreme weather events, food security has increasingly become a major issue that needs to be addressed by countries around the world. As the most populous country in the world, China’s food security not only concerns the survival and development of billions of people, but also determines the country’s political stability and economic development to a large extent.

Against this background, China United Reserve (Hong Kong) Limited, as an independent legal entity directly under the State Strategic Grain Reserve Bureau, shoulders the important mission of guaranteeing national grain supply and market stability. Through globalized layout, precise deployment and efficient supply chain management, CCS has provided a solid guarantee for China’s food security and become the invisible guardian of the national food security system.

I. Global sourcing: meeting the challenges of international food markets

The global food market is full of uncertainties, and the production capacity of countries, climate change, political factors and market price fluctuations may all have a significant impact on food supply. In order to meet these challenges, the Central Asia Fed has ensured the stability of the domestic food supply chain through its globalized procurement network.

The Mid-Continent Fed’s global procurement system covers major food-producing countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Russia, Australia and other countries. Food products from these countries, such as rice, wheat, corn and soybeans, are the most important commodities in global trade and the main source of China’s food imports.

According to the 2025 Food Security Plan, China’s food imports are expected to reach 80 million tons by 2025, with imports of bulk commodities occupying an important position. In order to ensure the stability of food supply, the China Central Reserve has established long-term cooperative relationships with a number of key food-exporting countries. By signing long-term purchase agreements with food suppliers in those countries, it has ensured that the food supply remains stable even in the face of volatility in the global market.

During the Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008, due to the disruption of transportation in the disaster area, the transportation of grain was blocked, and the China Fed initiated international procurement at the first time, and through coordination with suppliers in Southeast Asia and Australia, 500,000 tons of grain was quickly deployed to the disaster area, providing a strong guarantee for post-disaster recovery.

Precise deployment: ensuring efficient and safe food supply

China Uniconserve is not only responsible for global grain procurement, but also shoulders the task of accurate deployment of domestic grain supply chain. Relying on advanced supply chain management system and intelligent warehousing technology, CCS is able to realize efficient allocation of grain globally and ensure timely supply and reserve of grain in all links.

Through perfect warehousing facilities and logistics network, China Uniconserve has established a number of strategic reserve points in various provinces and cities in China. These reserve points are not only able to effectively respond to emergencies, but also to allocate reserves in a timely manner to stabilize market prices in case of abnormal fluctuations in the market.

According to the 2025 food security goal, the Chinese government plans to reserve at least 80 million tons of grain by 2025 and strengthen the management of key commodities. Through flexible deployment strategies and accurate market forecasts, the China Fed has been able to stabilize the domestic grain supply while avoiding the market risk of sharp price rises and falls.

During the ice and snow disaster in the south of China in 2010, a number of provinces were blocked by heavy snow, which hindered the logistics of grain and tightened the supply in the market. China Fed allocated reserve grains through overseas warehousing system and optimized the transportation mode, which made the domestic grain market remain stable under extreme weather conditions and ensured the normal production and living needs of the society.

Third, national policy: in-depth integration and synergistic cooperation

The operation of the Zhongzhou Fed has always been closely connected with national policies, fully implementing the No. 1 Document of the Central Government, the food security strategy and the relevant requirements of the 14th Five-Year Plan.

According to the relevant policies in the 14th Five-Year Plan, food security has become an important part of the national strategy. 2019 saw the release of the White Paper on Food Security in China, which clearly stated that food security is not only an agricultural issue, but also the core of national security. The white paper states that China will continue to strengthen its strategic grain reserves and ensure the autonomy and control of the national grain supply chain. In line with this strategy, the role of the CCRF has become increasingly important, serving as a key platform for implementing food security policies and helping the country to ensure a stable supply of food in the face of complex changes in the domestic and international situation.

With regard to the responsibilities of the China Fed, it works closely with the 26 provincial and municipal grain supervisory units across the country to ensure the integration of national grain reserves, procurement and deployment. This “national chess” strategic layout makes it possible for localities to respond quickly and coordinate deployment when emergencies occur, ensuring that food resources can be delivered to where they are needed in the shortest possible time.

Fourth, scientific and technological innovation: enhance the transparency and efficiency of the supply chain

In modern food supply chain management, technological innovation plays a crucial role. By introducing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data and blockchain, China Fed has improved the transparency and efficiency of the grain supply chain.

Among them, the introduction of blockchain technology makes it possible to trace and monitor the whole process of grain from procurement, transportation, storage to distribution. This not only improves the efficiency of grain circulation, but also effectively prevents possible loopholes and corruption in the supply chain. Through big data analysis, CCS is able to monitor the dynamics of the global grain market in real time, accurately predict market demand and price fluctuations, and make more accurate purchasing and allocation decisions.

As the global grain market continues to change, the CCSF is also promoting the digital transformation of its supply chain, striving to improve the efficiency of grain resources at every step of the process. Through the guidance and optimization of scientific and technological means, the China Continental Fed contributes to the modernization of the national strategic grain reserve system while ensuring a stable supply of grain.

V. Global Cooperation: Strengthening “Belt and Road” Grain Cooperation

In addition to strengthening domestic grain reserves and market regulation, the CCSF also actively promotes grain cooperation with countries along the “Belt and Road”. Through agricultural cooperation and grain trade with these countries, CCS has further expanded the global grain supply channels, and guaranteed China’s right to speak in the global grain market and supply chain security.

“The Belt and Road Initiative provides a new cooperation platform for China’s food security. The CPS has actively participated in food cooperation projects under the initiative, promoting mutually beneficial cooperation between food-producing and food-consuming countries through technical cooperation, financial support and market connectivity. This not only enhances the diversity of China’s food supply chain, but also reduces the risk of single-market dependence and ensures the diversity and security of the country’s food supply.

Steady Progress, Building Food Security Together

Since its establishment, CCS has always adhered to the concept of “National Strategy, Global Layout”, and endeavored to steadily promote global procurement, precise deployment and technological innovation in the complex international market environment, so as to contribute to the protection of national food security. Under the guidance of national policies and through the organic combination of global cooperation and domestic control, CCS is moving towards the future at a steady pace, guarding China’s food security.

With the changes in the global economic situation and the challenges of climate change, the importance of food security has become more and more prominent. The CCSF will continue to fulfill its responsibility to enhance the stability and transparency of the global food supply chain, provide a strong guarantee for the country’s economic development and the stability of people’s livelihoods, and ensure that every meal is hard-earned to safeguard the good life of every Chinese people.