China Unveils New Plan for Food Security

China has released its annual "No 1 document," a key policy blueprint outlining the government's top priorities for rural and agricultural development. The plan focuses on stabilizing grain and oilseed production, diversifying agricultural imports, and providing greater support to farmers.

This strategy comes as Beijing contends with a complex mix of trade friction with major food exporters like the US and Canada, a domestic economic slowdown, and mounting climate challenges. While China achieved record grain output last year, its heavy reliance on imports has prompted an accelerated push toward self-sufficiency through investments in machinery and seed technology.

Diversification as a Core Resilience Strategy

A central theme of the new policy is the push to diversify supply chains. The document mentions "diversification" three times, a notable increase from just once in 2025, signaling a strategic pivot. The goals are to expand oilseed supplies, develop a more varied food system, and broaden the sources of agricultural imports.

According to Even Rogers Pay, director at the Beijing-based consultancy Trivium China, this emphasis shows that policymakers view diversification as crucial for making the country's food system more secure. "(It's) a strategy to make China's food system... more resilient when shocks like natural disasters or trade wars occur," Pay noted. This approach could reduce dependence on traditional exporters and boost trade with nations in the Global South.

The Strategic Shift in Soybean Production

The policy on soybeans clearly illustrates this new focus. The directive has shifted from consolidating gains in planting area in 2025 to a new mandate of "consolidating and enhancing production capacity."

Pay suggests this change indicates a greater emphasis on improving crop yield and quality rather than simply expanding the land used for cultivation. This move is part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on US soybeans, which are primarily used for animal feed in China's massive pork industry. Since the first trade war, Beijing has actively boosted domestic production to bolster food security. As a result, the US market share for soybeans in China dropped from 41% in 2016 to just 15% in 2025.

Fostering Innovation Through Agri-Tech

The document also outlines ambitious plans to modernize the agricultural sector through technological innovation. Key initiatives include:

• Strengthening agricultural research platforms.

• Supporting leading agri-tech companies.

• Advancing industrialized biotech cultivation.

• Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with farming practices.

• Cultivating a new generation of specialized agricultural talent.

Beyond technology, the plan aims to build internationally competitive agricultural enterprises, support key exports, and crack down on the smuggling of agricultural products while actively participating in global food governance.

Stabilizing the Domestic Meat Market

The policy blueprint also addresses challenges within the domestic meat industry, which has recently struggled with oversupply and low prices that have squeezed producer profits. The government intends to strengthen the management of pork production, a staple in the country.

Additionally, the plan calls for targeted support for the beef and dairy sectors and includes measures to promote dairy consumption. The government has already implemented policies to stabilize the industry, such as introducing a quota system for beef imports and placing tariffs on certain EU dairy products.