Genetically Modified Seeds Market - Strategic Insights and Forecasts (2026-2031)

Genetically Modified Seeds Market Size:

The Global Genetically Modified Seeds market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 8.4%, reaching USD 73.2 billion in 2031 from USD 48.9 billion in 2026.

GMO seeds are created in a laboratory by biological engineers using contemporary biotechnology techniques, sometimes known as "genetic engineering," as opposed to being produced in a garden. Individual genes can be chosen and transferred from one organism to another using recombinant DNA techniques, resulting in a genetically modified organism that would not have happened naturally or by conventional crossbreeding techniques. They can raise the degree of crop protection by strengthening plants' resilience to pesticides, infections, and other pathogens, thereby increasing the overall crop yields, which can lower the cost of production. GMO seeds can harvest more quickly, allowing for more crop rotation, and can more easily withstand drought, cold, high salt concentrations, or the presence of aluminium elements. Rapid urbanization and technological innovations in farming, coupled with high demand for nutrition-rich food items, have bolstered the overall market growth.

Genetically Modified Seeds Market Drivers:

• The rise in nutrition concerns and rapid urbanization are expected to boost the growth of GMO seeds. 

A large increase in the use of genetically modified seeds has been seen to increase crop output. The market is expected to develop faster due to additional factors such as the rising need for animal feeds and the growing use of biofuels from GMO energy crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, and sugarcane. Various countries are investing in GMO seeds to enhance overall crop productivity. For instance, in August 2023, the Philippines approved BT cotton for commercial propagation, and the crop is the fourth genetically engineered approved after corn, rice, and eggplant. Additionally, in 2022, the country's planted area for biotech corn reached 5,76,000 hectares. The country is emphasizing “New Plant Breeding” Techniques and is drafting policies in that accordance.

• Favorable initiatives and developments are expected to drive the market growth.

Governments of several developing nations, including those in APAC and Africa, are enticing farmers to use genetically modified seeds rather than conventional ones to boost agricultural yields. At the same time, an increase in R&D activities and the use of environment-friendly seeds are also fueling the genetically modified seeds market’s growth. For instance, in October 2022, Indian-developed genetically modified mustard seeds received environmental authorization from the government, enabling the commercialization of the country's first GM food crop. The transgenic mustard crop, often known as rapeseed, has received clearance for production by the government. The Science and Technology Ministry announced that India is simplifying rules for creating genome-edited plants, calling the technology promising due to its significant economic potential

Genetically Modified Seeds Market Segment Analysis:

• By crop type, corn production is projected to accelerate the GMO seeds market.

A sizable fraction of the genetically modified seeds comes from corn. This is due to the increase in corn demand because corn is widely employed in ethanol production and livestock feed. The US Department of Agriculture^[1] reported that American maize farmers produced 15.1 billion bushels in 2021, 7% more than in 2020 and the second-highest amount on record. The expected corn yield in the United States is 177.0 bushels per acre, 5.6 bushels more than the anticipated output of 171.4 bushels per acre for 2020. At 85.4 million acres, the area harvested for grain represents a 4% increase over 2020. This rise is also attributed to the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Genetically Modified Seeds Market Geographical Outlook:

• North America is anticipated to hold a significant proportion of the market.

Due to increased farmer awareness of the advantages of GMO seeds in this region, followed by government initiatives and strict standards, North America accounts for a sizeable percentage of the global market for GMO seeds. It is anticipated to rise throughout the forecast period. According to the USDA, in 2023, 93% of Wisconsin’s corn planted was of a biotech variety, and 91% of the soybean acres were herbicide-resistant genetically modified seed. Furthermore, the same sources stated that in 2023, 89% of the US cotton acres were planted with genetically engineered insect-resistant seeds. The booming technological innovation and implementation of new schemes and policies are further acting as a driving factor for regional market growth.

Over the forecast period, growth in Asia Pacific is also anticipated to be strong. In developing nations like India and China, biotechnology in agriculture is expanding quickly to increase crop productivity in the face of varying environmental circumstances like salt and drought. The use of genetic seeds is associated with many benefits, including reduced pesticide application costs and increased agricultural yields, increasing the demand for genetically modified seeds throughout Asia Pacific countries. The growth of GM corn crops is expected to provide additional impetus to emerging countries, such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, among others. Moreover, the new traits launched in different crops per varied climatic situations are anticipated to propel market growth during the forecast period.

Genetically Modified Seeds Market Key Developments: 

• In March 2023, Corteva introduced a gene-editing technology to protect the elite corn hybrids. The new technology aimed to drive disease-resistant traits in corn genome and represents next-generation of plant breeding, especially for North American corn growers.

• In September 2022, the USDA authorized the purchase of Norfolk Plant Science's (NPS) nutritionally improved, high-anthocyanin purple tomato seeds for home gardeners starting in spring 2023. Thus, beginning in 2023, Americans will be able to cultivate purple GM tomatoes in their gardens.

Genetically Modified Seeds Market Key Players: 

Genetically Modified Seeds Market Scope:

The Genetically Modified Seeds market is segmented and analyzed as follows:

• By Corp Type

  • Corn

  • Soybean

  • Cotton

  • Canola

  • Others

• By Resistance

  • Herbicide-tolerant

  • Insect-resistant

• By Geography

  • North America

    • USA

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

    • Others

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Others

  • Middle East and Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Others

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • South Korea

    • Thailand

    • Indonesia

    • Others

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