“the rains and flooding came just before the rice harvest, China’s main staple crop.”
Over a million hectares of crops were lost, and a total of six million hectares impacted, so far, just from this flooding.
Chinese agriculture has also been hit hard by simultaneous disasters, like African Swine Flu, and drought in the North East wheat crop.
And locusts!
Coincidentally, the derecho hurricane winds destroyed much of the grain 'heartland' crops of corn and wheat.
But the Dept. of Agriculture says that we can still meet international demands from reserves.
See .. even the government practices 'prepping' !
The swine flu more than decimated the native pork population of China, affecting approximately 65-75% of young porker piglets .
Then again, can you trust the Chinese disease numbers (?).
Regardless, China pork production will be augmented by pork products grown in the USA; thus raising American pork prices.