Chinese corn breeders are preparing for the planting of more than double the amount of genetically modified corn next year than in 2023, three industry sources said, with Beijing expected to tightly control for a second year the rollout of GMOs.

GMO corn will be allowed on around 10 million mu, or about 670,000 hectares (1.66 million acres), in eight provinces next year, including the northeastern province of Liaoning for the first time, said one of the sources, who was briefed on a proposal discussed at a meeting held by the agriculture ministry last month.

The other two sources, who are familiar with the situation, also said GMO seed developers and breeders are preparing for the planting of around 10 million mu. The mu is a Chinese area measurement equal to about 1/15 of a hectare.

Beijing permitted planting of about 4 million mu, or 270,000 hectares, of GMO corn this year in what it described as trials but has not yet issued any public guidance for 2024.

Despite the increase, the new amount would account for just 1.5% of the almost 44 million hectares expected to be sown with corn this spring.

"It's growing, but in a very controlled, regulated fashion in terms of what you can sell and where you can sell it," said the source, adding that no information was yet available on how the seed would be priced.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs did not respond to a fax seeking comment on the plan.