Single year's corn import quantity exceeds past decade's

Though as a large, self-sufficient grain producer, the quantity of corn China has imported this year was more than the total amount of the past 15 years, making it a 10-year record, according to media reports.

Data from China customs showed that from January to May of this year, the country had imported 23,500 tons, while the amount for the entire last year was of 2,150 tons.

According to Huang Liqun, with a Shanghai-based consultant firm, the reason of such increase is the 20-percent corn-output decrease in the country's Northeastern region, and a considerable increase in corn-processing demand.

The occasion is causing farm owners to leap with joy. But their enthusiasm is likely to be hit by the overseas market. Enjoying government protection, China's corn prices have maintained at high prices, while the US's corn prices were much cheaper than those in China, an insider at a Jilin-based corn-processing firm said.

In addition, 60 percent of all imported corn is genetically modified (GM).

Some analysts argue that opening up the door for corn imports can curb the high prices, thus, the country will be able to stabilize the domestic market through the international market. Some others object by saying that China should be in favor of farmer's benefits and protect them.