Shandong’s comprehensive approach to grain loss reduction

chinadaily.com.cn2025-07-25 19:11

　　The 2025 International Conference on Reducing Food Loss and Waste held in Jinan, Shandong province, welcomes global guests to discuss initiatives on reducing food loss and waste. [Photo/Dazhong News]

　　The 2025 International Conference on Reducing Food Loss and Waste is being held in Jinan, capital city of East China's Shandong province, from July 24 to 26, gathering experts and representatives from international organizations to discuss global food security.

　　Shandong, a major agricultural and grain-producing province in China, has adopted a dual approach of both increasing production and reducing loss. The province has achieved remarkable results by focusing on mechanization, storage, processing, and consumption. To date, its total grain output has remained stable at over 110 billion jin (55 billion kilograms) for the past four years. This year, the yield per unit area and the total output increase of summer grains both ranked first in China.

　　To enhance grain production, Shandong has optimized machinery and trained operators, reducing harvest losses. In 2024, the average machine harvesting loss rates for wheat and corn were 0.81 percent and 1.57 percent, respectively, well below the national targets. Meanwhile, the province's storage improvement action has led to the construction of high-standard granaries and the use of smart inspection systems, lowering the comprehensive loss rate of provincial reserves to just 0.38 percent.

　　Processing improvements have also been significant. Companies like Fada Flour Group in Dezhou have developed advanced milling techniques, increasing flour yield by 2 percent. Shandong is also carrying out the Clean Plate campaign and encouraging smaller portion sizes when dining, reducing food waste.