Beijing permitted planting of about four 270,000 hectares of GM corn in 2023.

China corn breeders ready for doubling of GMO planting in 2024

Move into biotech corn being watched internationally as potential threat to imports

Reading Time: 3 minutes Reuters – Chinese corn breeders are preparing to plant more than double the amount of genetically modified corn next year than in 2023, three industry sources said, with Beijing expected to tightly control the rollout. GM corn will be allowed on about 670,000 hectares (1.66 million acres), in eight provinces next year, including the northeastern […] Read more


field soybeans

China moves closer to commercial planting of GMO crops

Numerous corn and soybean varieties approved by regulator in recent ruling

Reading Time: < 1 minute China has approved 37 genetically modified corn seed varieties and 14 GM soybean varieties, taking it close to commercial planting. The varieties approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in a recent notice include corn varieties owned by Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Co., Syngenta and Dabeinong. China is the world’s top buyer of soybeans and corn, importing […] Read more

China has been conducting large-scale trials on GM corn and soybeans in 20 counties in five provinces, and results have been promising, according to reports.

China says GM soy, corn trials show ‘outstanding’ results

The country has not yet approved commercial planting of GM corn and soybeans, but has been studying them for years

Reading Time: 2 minutes China’s farm ministry on Aug. 24 said large trials of genetically modified corn and soybeans showed “outstanding” results and that the technology was safe and essential. China has not yet approved commercial planting of GM corn and soybeans, but has been studying the crops for years, and this year significantly expanded the acreage of its […] Read more


Corn in progress just east of Blumenort, Man. on July 20, 2022. (Dave Bedard photo)

After growing GM corn for decades, some U.S. farmers open to Mexican restrictions

Biden administration seeks to challenge ban

Chicago | Reuters — Mexico has found unexpected allies as it tries to limit imports of genetically modified (GM) corn: some U.S. farmers who grow the crops. Farmers have for decades planted GM corn, which protects against insects and herbicides, with seeds sold by companies such as Bayer, Corteva and ChemChina’s Syngenta. But as believers […] Read more

File photo of a cornfield in Mexico. (Roberto Cabrera/iStock/Getty Images)

Mexico opens door for GM corn in feed, industrial uses

U.S. 'disappointed' in Mexico's new decree

Mexico City | Reuters — Mexico on Monday scrapped a deadline to ban genetically modified corn for animal feed and industrial use amid trade tensions with the United States — but retained plans to prohibit use of the GM grain for human consumption, as well as the herbicide glyphosate. The move, approved in a government […] Read more


Around 20 per cent of Mexico’s corn imports from the U.S. are white corn, used to make food products such as tortillas. (Bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images)

Mexico to rework decree on GM corn, economy minister says

GM corn, glyphosate bans now due to take effect in 2024

Mexico City | Reuters — Mexico has offered to extend a deadline to ban genetically modified (GM) corn until 2025 and is working on a proposal to overhaul its plan, Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro said on Wednesday. Buenrostro said President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador had told the U.S. Mexico could delay the contentious GM corn […] Read more

Corn in progress just east of Blumenort, Man. on July 20, 2022. (Dave Bedard photo)

Mexico open to deal with U.S. on GMO corn

U.S. corn growers seek clarity over ban

Mexico City | Reuters — Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Tuesday he is seeking a deal with Washington after the United States threatened legal action over Mexico’s plan to ban genetically modified (GMO) corn in 2024. After meeting with Mexican officials on Monday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said Mexico’s decree […] Read more