China revises feed policy amid foreign economic pressure

Feed consumption in China continues to grow, driven mainly by the poultry sector. In response, the government is stepping up efforts to secure domestic feed, seeking to reduce dependence on grain imports. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects that China’s corn production in the 2025/26 marketing year will increase by 3 million tonnes from the previous year to reach 298 million tonnes. Corn imports will total about 8 million tonnes, up 1 million tonnes from the previous year but still well below historical levels.

The greater supply of corn is encouraging farmers to return to traditional feed rations, increasing the proportion of corn in mixtures and reducing the use of alternative crops such as sorghum and barley.

Wheat production in 2025/26 is projected at 141 million tonnes, up 1 million tonnes from the previous year. As feed demand rises, wheat imports are expected to rise to 6 million tonnes from 4.5 million tonnes in 2024/25.

USDA notes that China’s strategy to expand grain production capacity includes increasing yields through new farming technologies and developing high-yield farmland.

“Corn imports are set to fall to 8 million tonnes as Beijing actively curbs grain purchases from abroad through administrative measures,” the report says.

Minimizing Geopolitical Risks

China is seeking food self-sufficiency by increasing domestic production and maintaining strategic reserves. By 2030, it plans to reduce the share of grains and oilseeds in feed rations to 60%, while developing alternative protein sources, including microbial and feed proteins, as well as improved roughage.

As part of its supply diversification, Beijing is reducing purchases from the United States, increasing imports from Brazil, Argentina and Australia.

Following a joint announcement by the US and China in May 2025, some retaliatory tariffs were lifted, but significant trade barriers remain. New customs regulations came into effect in June 2025, tightening controls on grain imports through special customs zones.

In 2025, China’s total feed consumption is expected to grow by 2% year-on-year to 318 million tonnes. According to analysts at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, poultry will be the main contributor to feed sector growth in the near term, while pork production has reached its capacity cap.

Tags: China, corn, barley, compound feed, sorghum