Regional non-equilibrium characteristics and spatial convergence of China’s self-sufficiency rate of rations

[Objective] This article discussed the regional differences and spatial convergence of ration security from the perspectives of consumption and demand, in order to provide a scientific basis for each region to better assume the due responsibility of ration safety. [Methods] In order to examine the spatial differentiation characteristics and distribution dynamics of ration self-sufficiency rate in the four main regions of China, this study used the consumption statistics method and measured the self-sufficiency rate of rations based on provincial data from 2000 to 2020. We used the Dagum Gini coefficient and its decomposition method to investigate the degree, source, and trend of change of regional relative differences of ration self-sufficiency in China and its four regions. On this basis, the kernel density estimation method and spatial convergence were further used to describe the dynamic change process of distribution and spatial convergence characteristics of absolute difference. [Results] (1) From 2000 to 2020, the national ration self-sufficiency rate kept rising in three stages and in the four regions it was significantly different. The ration self-sufficiency rate of the four regions in descending order were central China, northeast China, eastern China, and western China. (2) During the study period, the regional differences of the ration self-sufficiency rate increased significantly in eastern and northeastern China, but only slightly in central and western China. However, the average contribution rate of the difference of ration self-sufficiency rate among the four regions to the interregional differences was 47.92%, much higher than the contribution rate of intraregional difference of 20.38% and super-density of 31.71%. (3) Different from the western region, the distribution pattern and polarization trend of the ration self-sufficiency rate in the eastern, central, and northeastern regions were similar, indicating that the absolute differences in the three regions were expanding continuously, and there was a phenomenon of high and low polarization. (4) Considering the spatial spillover effect, the absolute β convergence and conditional β convergence of the ration self-sufficiency rate existed in the whole country and the four main regions. The influencing factors of the ration production played a decisive role in the conditional convergence of the regional ration self-sufficiency rate. [Conclusion] The overall absolute security of China’s ration provision obscured regional insecurity, downplaying the research on regional differences of ration security. But regional differences in ration security are likely to narrow in the future.