Reuters exclusively reported that China will likely plant less than 1% of its corn fields with genetically modified varieties this year, said two people familiar with the plans, dashing hopes for a full market launch of the technology in the world’s second-largest corn market. The agriculture ministry has designated around 4 million mu (60,000 acres) to be planted with GMO corn this year. The slower-than-expected rollout is disappointing to seed companies that were expecting to boost revenues in a fragmented, highly competitive market. It also comes as an economic recovery is expected to increase China’s demand for corn to feed the world’s largest pig herd.
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