China Snow Batters Crops

Snow that has been battering central China has dealt an extremely serious blow to winter crops, according to a top agricultural official. It is raising the likelihood that future shortages would exaggerate already surging food prices. Regions hit by the worst winter storms in 50 years provide the bulk of China's winter fruit and vegetables. The full magnitude of the losses were unclear and much depends on the weather in the coming days. The impact of the snow disaster in southern China on winter crop production is extremely serious.