China cultivates high-protein corn to cut reliance on soybean imports

China is ramping up efforts to develop protein-rich corn varieties as part of a broader strategy to reduce its dependence on imported soybeans for poultry feed.

This initiative garnered great attention during the recently concluded "two sessions," China's most important annual political gatherings, where political advisor Yan Jianbing, president of Huazhong Agricultural University, highlighted the potential of high-protein corn to reshape the agricultural and feed industries.

High-protein corn is distinguished by its increased protein content in the kernels. While ordinary corn typically contains around 8-percent protein, high-protein corn varieties aim to elevate this by at least 1 percentage point.

"The initial goal for high-protein corn is to achieve a protein content of around 10 percent, and we've already made progress in this regard, with some varieties being promoted. Our next target is to reach 12 percent to 15 percent, or even higher, with the longer-term goal of optimizing the amino acid composition," said Zhan Junpeng, an associate professor at Huazhong Agricultural University.

China's total corn yield stood at 290 million tons in 2024. Experts estimate that increasing the protein content of corn by just 1 percentage point could translate into an additional 2.9 million tons of protein annually. If utilized effectively, this could reduce China's soybean imports by 7 to 8 million tons each year.

Currently, high-protein corn varieties with over 10-percent protein content have already been planted across more than 660 hectares of farmland nationwide.

High-protein corn is not for direct human consumption. Instead, it is primarily intended to supplement animal feed, addressing the shortage of protein-rich feed grains in livestock farming, according to Li Wenqiang, associate professor at Huazhong Agricultural University.

Li explained that increasing the protein content in animal feed promotes healthier growth, enhances immunity, and improves the quality of meat, eggs, and dairy products. It also boosts feed utilization efficiency, leading to higher profitability for farmers.

Traditionally, soybean meal has been added to corn-based feed to meet protein requirements. However, high-protein corn can significantly reduce the need for soybean meal, lowering feed costs and cutting reliance on soybean imports.

"For poultry and livestock such as chickens and pigs, they need to consume both energy and protein. Corn is the primary source of energy, while soybeans or soybean meal provide essential amino acids and protein. One of our goals of developing high-protein corn is to reduce soybean imports by replacing soybean meal with domestically produced corn," said Professor Zhan.

Experts noted that high-protein corn doesn't have any special environmental requirements compared with traditional varieties and can be widely planted across the country.

China cultivates high-protein corn to cut reliance on soybean imports

The Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked since Saturday evening and will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on the waterway.

In a statement carried by its official news outlet Sepah News, the IGRC said that the move came after the United States violated its commitments under the two-week ceasefire, which took effect on April 8, and failed to end its naval blockade against Iranian vessels and ports.

The IRGC Navy called on all vessels and their owners to follow official updates via its channel and VHF Channel 16, the international maritime distress, safety, and calling frequency. The statements by U.S. President Donald Trump hold no credibility in the strait and the Gulf, it added.

The IRGC warned that no vessel should move from its anchorage in the Gulf or the Gulf of Oman, and any approach to the strait would be deemed "cooperation with the enemy" and targeted accordingly.

Tehran's political leadership echoed the IRGC's firm position. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran's control, revealing that during previous negotiations, Iran had firmly countered U.S. attempts to carry out minesweeping operations, which Tehran viewed as a ceasefire violation.

He said the situation had come close to conflict, but the U.S. had eventually backed off.

Calling the U.S. maritime blockade "reckless and ignorant," Ghalibaf warned that passage through the strait would certainly be restricted if Washington does not lift the blockade.

Underpinning these public announcements, Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Saturday affirmed the country's resolve to exercise control and supervision over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the war is definitively ended and lasting peace is achieved in the region.

For its part, the United States pressed ahead with its own military measures.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Saturday that the U.S. military is imposing a maritime blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports and nearby coastal areas. Since the blockade began on April 13, 23 ships have complied with U.S. directions to turn around.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military is preparing in the coming days to board Iran-linked oil tankers and seize commercial ships in international waters, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing U.S. officials.

The move will enable the U.S. to take control of Iran-linked vessels around the world, including ships carrying Iranian oil that are already sailing outside the Persian Gulf and those carrying arms that could support Tehran, the report said.

Iran's IRGC says Strait of Hormuz blocked, demands end to US naval blockade