Chinese farmers let cabbages rot as COVID curbs disrupt sales

A woman buys cabbage at a street stall, an annual tradition in winter that has taken on extra importance after the government advised people to keep enough basic goods at home in case of emergencies, following outbreaks of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Beijing, China, November 4, 2021. Picture taken November 4, 2021. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

China's vegetable growers are ploughing their produce back into their fields or leaving it to rot, as widespread restrictions to curb the spread of COVID cut off distribution channels and close markets.

Thousands of tonnes of vegetables are unsold in central Henan province, one of the country's top producing regions, according to local media reports, charities and farmers, while farmers in northern Shandong province, another top growing region, are also unable to reach markets.