Core Viewpoint - The fresh corn industry in Guangdong is rapidly developing, with significant potential for growth and innovation, despite facing challenges such as resource constraints and natural disasters [4][5][18]. Group 1: Industry Overview - Zhanjiang has been cultivating sweet corn on a large scale since 1998, currently covering an area of approximately 700,000 acres, leading the province in both planting area and yield [2][3]. - The national planting area for fresh corn has surpassed 25 million acres, with an annual consumption of 75 billion ears [4]. Group 2: Challenges and Opportunities - The fresh corn industry faces multiple challenges, including insufficient germplasm resources, tightening production constraints, and increased natural disasters and pest issues [4][5]. - There is a need for enhanced collaboration between research institutions and seed companies to accelerate breakthroughs in germplasm innovation and address practical production challenges [15][20]. Group 3: Market Demand and Trends - Fresh corn is becoming a significant product in the context of food diversification, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.46%, marking it as a key component of the "big food concept" [18]. - The demand for new varieties of fresh corn, including black sweet and glutinous corn, is expected to grow across regions, particularly in the Yangtze River Delta [27][29]. Group 4: Quality and Breeding - There has been notable progress in the quality breeding of fresh corn, with some varieties nearing international quality standards, yet there remains room for improvement in balancing yield and quality [25][26]. - Future breeding efforts should focus on developing high-quality, visually appealing, and high-yield varieties that are resistant to diseases [33][34]. Group 5: Industry Structure and Economic Impact - Fresh corn is a crucial economic crop for restructuring and transforming the corn industry, significantly contributing to farmers' income and local economies [40]. - Guangdong is a major production area for fresh corn, with over 2 million acres planted annually, and it plays a vital role in supplying markets in major cities [41][42]. Group 6: Processing and Supply Chain - Despite the large planting area and good profitability of winter fresh corn in Guangdong, the processing segment remains a weak point, with a lack of deep processing products [49][50]. - There is a high loss rate and reduced marketability due to inadequate preservation and processing technologies for sweet corn, indicating a need for further strengthening in this area [51].