Rural Economy

Rural healthcare spreads

Rural clinic roll-out gathers pace and demand for medical devices is buoyant as grassroots healthcare network spreads.

New funds to boost hog numbers may take months

A new Chinese government policy to promote pig breeding through investment in large-scale pig farms and offering a subsidy of Rmb 100 per breeding sow is unlikely to have a substantial impact in bringing down pork prices this year. In the newly-launched "Rural China" section of the latest China Confidential report, published today, we explain that the root cause of skyrocketing pork prices is the culling of sows that took place during the 2010 trough in the hog cycle.

Pig breeding boom powers strong rural wealth creation

The surging profitability of pig breeding is one among several factors fuelling a rural boom.

Strong rural growth

Our survey shows rural wealth creation growing strongly, creating extra spending power for the cohort of around 250m to 300m emerging rural discretionary consumers.

Milk quality standards criticised

Commentators debate why regulators have downgraded quality standards within China's dairy industry.

Slowing land sales portend easing fixed-asset investment

Land sales are so central to local government finances that their current slowdown suggests an easing in fixed-asset investment.

The mysterious cabbage crisis

The disparity between cabbage prices at the farm gate and retail prices has sparked nationwide debate.

Congress presents picture of political poise despite pressures

So far, the image presented at the ongoing session of National People's Congress is of a competent government planning bold steps to meet its challenges.

Inflation turns structural

Almost all of the structural pressures propelling China's inflationary surge are intensifying, confounding hopes for a sustained retreat in consumer prices.

Looking off stage

Of course, the Central Economic Work Conference, which decided key economic targets for 2011 in Beijing over the weekend, is important. However, it is much less important – and less predictive of China's destiny – than what is happening off stage in the real economy.

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12 Jan 2012

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