Browse Data and Analysis

Post forecasts MY2025/26 China's corn production at 298 MMT, up 3 MMT from MY2024/25, while imports are projected at 8 MMT, up 1 MMT year-over-year but still well below historical levels.

Major bulk commodities, as a share of total U.S. agricultural exports, have risen and fallen dramatically since 2020. Beyond short-term price volatilities that have largely driven these developments, changes to the largest overseas market and an increasingly competitive landscape also affect the prospect for major U.S. bulk exports.

On April 8, 2025, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Crop Variety Registration Committee (CNCVRC) published a third variety registration list for genetically modified (GM) corn and soybeans.

Post forecasts MY 25/26 China corn production at 300 MMT, up 1.7 percent from MY 24/25, while corn imports are forecast at 8 MMT, lower than MY 23/24 levels due to China’s focus on grain self-sufficiency.

In MY 2024/25, the PRC’s grain output is estimated to reach a record 706.5 million metric tons (MMT), a 1.6 percent increase driven by expanded acreage and higher yields.

On November 4, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) announced the issuance of 58 seed production and operational licenses, including 13 genetically engineered (GE) corn seed production and operational licenses.

On October 28, 2024, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) published a revised “National Standard for Seed of Food Crops – Part 1: Cereals”, which will come into effect on October 1, 2025.

On October 8, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) announced the registration of 30 genetically engineered (GE) corn and soy varieties, including 27 GE corn varieties and three GE soybean varieties.

Feed demand in marketing year (MY) 2024/25 is expected to recover slightly, with a projected total volume of 286.5 million metric tons (MMT). Corn is expected to dominate feed composition due to low prices, replacing wheat and old stock rice.

Higher feed demand from broiler, aquaculture, and ruminants will push total feed use slightly higher in MY2024/25 with greater corn inclusion into feed rations than previous years. MY2024/25 corn production is forecast larger than MY2023/24 with larger yields.

On May 8, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) announced the issuance of new and renewed biosafety certificates for genetically engineered (GE) and gene-edited events.

Feed production is forecast lower on declining demand from poultry and livestock producers. Corn production in MY2024/25 is forecast larger than MY2023/24 due to improved yields and a slightly larger planting area, despite government policies encouraging increased soy area and reduced corn area.