China on January 18, 2024 allowed the domestic production of several GMO cultivars of corn and soybeans, including single corn and soy imports, apiece. These genetically modified crop approvals are the first steps in a race to fight domestic food security concerns.

With an aim to realize 100% self-sufficiency in agricultural production, China’s GMO crop production targets mainly grains and textile.

In this latest development, the Ministry of Agriculture endorsed local production of six extra corn varieties. Two genetically modified varieties of soybeans and a single one of cotton are also ready for planting. 

Importantly, the country has also given sanction to grow two cultivars of gene-edited soybeans. Gene editing alters the DNA sequence of a crop to improve its productivity and disease resistance. It is slightly different from genetic modification, which deletes the DNA and modifies it. 

The Approved Varieties

After posting notice on all 10 approved varieties, China has now sanctioned the cultivation of the crops nationwide. Previously, the country had restricted corn to only suitable areas in the north and south.

The agriculture ministry’s specific approvals for home production include DP202216, a corn cultivar that tolerates herbicides. 

For imports, China will henceforth from January 2, 2024 be buying from Argentina its locally developed gene-edited soybean variety, DBN8002. Though a Beijing biotechnology company developed it in China, DBN8002 got an Argentina licence in 2022.  

Genetically Modified Crops Down Memory Lane

China’s GMO crop plans started on May 4, 2023 when the agriculture ministry allowed the use of technology to modify soybeans.

One of the first licenses for gene-editing went to Shandong Shunfeng Biotechnology Limited on April 21, 2023. The company edited a soybean gene and raised the oleic acid content in the oilseed. Oleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid in plant tissue and it is healthier than saturated fats. 

In this, China is not alone. Earlier in 2019, a U.S.’ company known as Calyxt had produced a similar soybean with high oleic acid. It had gone on to become the first approved gene-edited American food.

Soy, Corn Prices in World Market

Amid these scientific breakthroughs, world soybean prices on January 19, 2024 closed 14 U.S. cents higher than a month earlier. 

The soy price in New York on January 19 was $12.27 a bushel to the $12.13 a bushel of December 21, 2023. 

Corn gained 0.22 cents to sell at $4.46 per bushel,  a cent below the $4.47 a bushel of January 12.

It is yet unclear how GMO corn and soybean production in China will shape up the price markets in 2024.