Faced with increasing demand and limited supply in addition to climate variability and unfavorable natural events, growers are seeking to improve crop productivity through a number of technologies that allow a sustainable intensification of agricultures.
Key Market Statistics
$16 billion
2016 Value of Genetically-Modified (“GM”) Seed Industry
83%
Global adoption of GM Soybeans in 2015
185 million
Hectares planted globally in 2016 with GM crops and representing 18+ million farmers
146 million
Hectares planted in U.S., Argentina and Brazil in 2016 with GM crops
Market Overview
- Agricultural biotechnology has grown significantly, with overall penetration of the commercial seed industry increasing from 19.4% in 2002 to 51.9% in 2015
- More than 2 billion hectares have been planted since 1996
- Corn and soybeans represent the majority of the seed biotechnology market, comprising 88% of the global biotech seed market.
- The United States, Argentina and Brazil are the top planters of biotech seeds, representing approximately 78% of global hectares planted.
- In the period 1996-2015, biotech crops increased production valued at $168 billion.
- In the period 1996 to 2015, pesticide use decreased significantly saving ~600 million kg of active ingredient.
- In 2015 alone, crop plantings lowered carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to removing 12 million cars from the road for one year.
Industry Breakdown
