Quarantined people barter belongings for food amid shortage concerns in Covid-hit Xi’an

Quarantined residents have begun bartering their supplies in exchange for food amid concerns of shortages in Xi’an, China.

Around 13 million people have been forced to stay inside their homes in a strict lockdown in the Covid-hit city since before Christmas on December 23.

Unable to leave their homes for essentials, the inhabitants have turned to social media to trade their belongings - including pricey tech devices - for food.

Social media site Weibo was awash with posts revealing desperate residents swapping supplies for food.

In one shocking post, someone appears to hand over his Nintendo Switch console in exchange for instant noodles and two steamed buns amid fears over food shortages.

Exchanges seen online included cigarettes for a cabbage, dishwashing liquid for apples and sanitary pads for a small amount of vegetables.

Residents have shared their experiences of the crisis.

“People are swapping stuff with others in the same building, because they no longer have enough food to eat,” One resident told Radio Free Asia.

Another social media user said: “Helpless citizens have arrived at the era of bartering - potatoes are exchanged for cotton swabs.”

Free food has been delivered to households by officials during the lockdown.

However, some residents have cried for help saying they are running out of food while others claimed they haven’t received any free food.