State-controlled media has reported that China's government will give subsidies worth millions of yuan to boost production on large pig and chicken breeding units. Citing the central government's National Development & Reform Commission, Xinhua news agency reported that hog breeding operations and breeder chicken units will each see up to 1 million yuan depending on their scale of production.

"In terms of different annual output, the government will pay 200,000 yuan, 400,000 yuan, 600,000 yuan or 800,000 yuan to standard pig farms," the agency said. The subsidies are aimed at operations in southern China, which faced tough winter conditions. The subsidies are the latest in a series of moves the government has announced to boost production and bring down food inflation.