AsianFin -- China is poised to dramatically expand its genetically modified (GM) corn cultivation this year, planting four to five times more than in 2024, as the country accelerates efforts to strengthen domestic food security and reduce reliance on imports.

The planting area for GM corn is expected to reach between 40 million and 50 million mu (approximately 3.3 million hectares) in 2025, up from around 10 million mu last year, according to estimates by CITICS Research and multiple seed industry sources who spoke anonymously due to the political sensitivity of the topic.

The expansion marks a significant step forward for Beijing after years of hesitation over GM crops, driven by state control, mixed trial results, and public skepticism. Over the past two years, however, the government has fast-tracked approvals for a range of GM seed varieties, positioning biotech agriculture as a key tool to boost domestic grain output.

While not officially linked to ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions, the increased domestic production of GM corn could reduce China’s dependency on foreign grain — a strategic shift that may alter global corn trade flows. The U.S. supplied 15% of China’s corn imports last year.

Analysts say the move may also provide Beijing with greater flexibility as it navigates tariff battles and supply chain disruptions, especially with agricultural trade increasingly entangled in geopolitical tensions.