China’s Protein-Packed Corn

China is on a mission… that is years in the making. 

The country is working on reducing its reliance on grain and feed imports. And it might be another step closer. 

Corn making gainz: Researchers have been working on a high-protein corn variety that could help reduce China’s soybean imports. But why corn? 

The new variety’s protein content is 2 percentage points higher than conventional corn. Researchers say a 1% increase could replace 2.9M tons of protein annually. That added protein would be used for animal feed.

Soy much dependence: China imported a record 105M tons of soybeans in 2024. China has struggled to reduce its imports due to land constraints. 

More than 20% of the imports came from the U.S., down more than 40% from a decade ago due to increased shipments from Brazil. Meanwhile, China increased tariffs on soybeans from the U.S. amid the latest tit-for-tat between the two countries. 

China’s government has stressed the desire to diversify its imports to bridge into self-sufficiency. 

Soundbite: “The rice bowl of the Chinese people must be firmly held in the hands of the Chinese people.” — Chinese President Xi Jinping