Global Seed Market Size, Share, and Trends Analysis Report – Industry Overview and Forecast to 2031

Seed Market Analysis

The seed market is witnessing significant growth, driven by advancements in biotechnology, precision agriculture, and digital tools. Innovative techniques such as CRISPR gene editing enable the development of genetically modified seeds that are more resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental stressors. These seeds not only improve crop yields but also reduce the need for chemical inputs, promoting sustainable farming practices.

Moreover, precision agriculture technologies, including satellite imaging and drones, facilitate better seed placement and monitoring, optimizing planting strategies. This data-driven approach enhances decision-making for farmers, leading to increased efficiency and productivity.

The use of digital platforms for seed distribution and information sharing is also on the rise, allowing farmers to access a wider variety of seeds and tailored recommendations based on local conditions.

Market growth is further supported by rising global food demand and a shift toward sustainable agricultural practices. The increasing focus on organic farming and high-quality seed varieties is driving investment in research and development, positioning the seed market for sustained expansion in the coming years. Overall, these advancements are crucial in meeting the challenges of food security and climate change.

Seed Market Size

The global seed market size was valued at USD 57.22 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 104.35 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 7.80% during the forecast period of 2024 to 2031. In addition to the insights on market scenarios such as market value, growth rate, segmentation, geographical coverage, and major players, the market reports curated by the Data Bridge Market Research also include import export analysis, production capacity overview, production consumption analysis, price trend analysis, climate change scenario, supply chain analysis, value chain analysis, raw material/consumables overview, vendor selection criteria, PESTLE Analysis, Porter Analysis, and regulatory framework.

Seed Market Trends

“Rise in Precision Agriculture”

One specific trend driving growth in the seed market is the rise of precision agriculture technologies. These innovations, such as GPS-guided planting and advanced data analytics, enable farmers to optimize seed placement, spacing, and planting depth, leading to enhanced crop yields. For instance, in July 2023, BASF expanded its Xitavo soybean seed portfolio by adding 11 new high-yielding varieties featuring the advanced Enlist E3 technology, specifically designed to combat difficult weeds for the 2024 growing season. This expansion allows farmers to select from a broader range of resilient soybean varieties, enhancing their ability to adapt to various environmental challenges, optimize yields, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices in competitive markets.

Report Scope and Seed Market Segmentation

Seed Market Definition

A seed is a reproductive structure that contains the genetic material of a plant, capable of developing into a new individual. Seeds are formed from the fertilized ovule of a flower and are encased in a protective seed coat. They play a crucial role in plant reproduction and dispersal, enabling the species to survive and propagate. Seeds vary in size, shape, and structure, adapting to their environments for successful germination. They provide essential nutrients for the developing plant and can remain dormant until favorable conditions arise, such as moisture and warmth, triggering the growth process.

Seed Market Dynamics

Drivers

• Rising Global Population

The global population is projected to reach approximately 9.7 billion by 2050, significantly increasing food demand. This surge necessitates a corresponding rise in agricultural production, driving the seed market. Farmers are increasingly turning to higher-yielding seed varieties to meet these demands. For instance, In February 2022, BASF’s vegetable seeds business announced the launch of a new tearless onion variety, which is set to hit supermarkets in France, Germany, Italy, and the U.K. This innovative product promises to enhance the consumer experience by reducing the irritation typically associated with onion cutting. The introduction of this tearless onion variety aims to increase consumer satisfaction while also driving sales for retailers and producers in the vegetable market.

• Increasing Sustainable Farming Practices

The emphasis on sustainable agriculture is significantly driving the seed market. As environmental concerns rise, farmers are increasingly adopting seeds that require fewer inputs such as water and fertilizers, promoting more eco-friendly farming methods. For instance, in May 2022, Syngenta Canada launched the innovative Pelta seed pelleting technology designed specifically for canola seeds. This technology optimizes seed size and uniformity, enhancing planter performance during the sowing process. By improving singulation, Pelta technology aims to increase planting efficiency and crop establishment rates, ultimately leading to higher yields and better overall productivity for canola farmers, contributing to a more sustainable and profitable agricultural landscape.

Opportunities

• Global Trade and Export Opportunities

Expanding global trade agreements significantly enhance opportunities in the seed market by facilitating the export of seeds and agricultural products. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) enables member countries to lower tariffs on agricultural exports, allowing seed companies to access new markets with reduced costs. This not only broadens their customer base but also encourages innovation and competition. In addition, emerging markets in Asia and Africa, where agricultural practices are evolving, and present lucrative opportunities for seed exporters. As these regions seek to increase food security, seed companies can leverage trade agreements to introduce advanced seed varieties tailored to local needs.

• Growing Urbanization and Agricultural Land Use

As urbanization accelerates, the pressure on available agricultural land increases, compelling farmers to optimize yield from smaller areas. This trend creates significant opportunities in the seed market, particularly for high-performance seeds designed for intensive farming. For instance, urban farming initiatives in cities such as New York and Tokyo have sparked demand for compact, high-yield crops such as vertical farming systems that utilize specialized seed varieties. In addition, hybrids and genetically modified seeds that offer greater resilience and faster growth rates are increasingly sought after. This shift not only addresses food security concerns in urban settings but also opens new markets for seed companies innovating for limited-space agriculture.

Restraints/Challenges

• Seed Quality and Availability

Seed quality and availability significantly impact the seed market. Contamination can occur during production, storage, or transportation, leading to inferior seed quality, which adversely affects germination rates and crop yields. Poor germination can result in lower productivity, reducing farmers' profitability and limiting their ability to compete in the market. In addition, in many regions, high-quality seeds are not readily available due to inadequate distribution networks or lack of investment in seed production. This scarcity can hinder farmers' access to improved varieties, ultimately affecting overall agricultural output and market growth. As a result, these challenges pose substantial constraints on the seed industry.    

• Intellectual Property Issues

Intellectual property issues significantly hinder the seed market, particularly due to the rise of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Companies that develop GMOs often patent their seeds, leading to disputes over usage rights. Farmers may unknowingly plant patented seeds, resulting in legal challenges and potential lawsuits, which create a climate of fear and uncertainty. This situation limits farmers' choices, as they must navigate a complex landscape of regulations and licensing agreements. In addition, the increased costs associated with purchasing patented seeds and potential legal fees strain farmers’ budgets, further deterring them from adopting innovative seed technologies and ultimately stunting market growth.   

This market report provides details of new recent developments, trade regulations, import-export analysis, production analysis, value chain optimization, market share, impact of domestic and localized market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, strategic market growth analysis, market size, category market growths, application niches and dominance, product approvals, product launches, geographic expansions, technological innovations in the market. To gain more info on the market contact Data Bridge Market Research for an Analyst Brief, our team will help you take an informed market decision to achieve market growth.

Impact and Current Market Scenario of Raw Material Shortage and Shipping Delays

Data Bridge Market Research offers a high-level analysis of the market and delivers information by keeping in account the impact and current market environment of raw material shortage and shipping delays. This translates into assessing strategic possibilities, creating effective action plans, and assisting businesses in making important decisions.

Apart from the standard report, we also offer in-depth analysis of the procurement level from forecasted shipping delays, distributor mapping by region, commodity analysis, production analysis, price mapping trends, sourcing, category performance analysis, supply chain risk management solutions, advanced benchmarking, and other services for procurement and strategic support.

Expected Impact of Economic Slowdown on the Pricing and Availability of Products

When economic activity slows, industries begin to suffer. The forecasted effects of the economic downturn on the pricing and accessibility of the products are taken into account in the market insight reports and intelligence services provided by DBMR. With this, our clients can typically keep one step ahead of their competitors, project their sales and revenue, and estimate their profit and loss expenditures.

Seed Market Scope

The market is segmented on the basis of product, crop, availability and type. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyze meagre growth segments in the industries and provide the users with a valuable market overview and market insights to help them make strategic decisions for identifying core market applications.

Product

• Transgenic Hybrids
  • Insect Resistant Hybrids
  • Herbicide Tolerant Hybrids
• Non-Transgenic Hybrids
• Open-Pollinated Varieties

Crop

• Grains and Cereals
  • Maize
  • Rice
  • Wheat
  •  Sorghum
  •  Other Grains and Cereals
• Pulses and Oilseeds
  • Soybean
  •  Sunflower
  •  Canola
  •  Other Seeds
• Cotton
• Fruits and Vegetables
  • Cucurbits
  • Roots and Bulbs
  • Brassicas
  • Solanaceae
  • Leafy Vegetables
  • Other
• Other Crops
  • Alfalfa
  • Flower Seeds
  •  Turf Grasses
  •  Other

 Availability

• Commercial Seeds
• Saved Seeds

 Type

• Conventional Seeds
• Genetically Modified Seeds

Seed Market Regional Analysis/Insights

The market is analysed and market size insights and trends are provided by country, product, crop, availability and type as referenced above.

The countries covered in the market report are U.S., Canada and Mexico in North America, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Rest of Europe in Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA), Brazil, Argentina and Rest of South America as part of South America.

North America is expected to dominate the seed market during the forecast period, driven by increasing demand for agricultural products. This growth is fueled by advancements in farming technologies, a focus on high-yield crops, and a shift towards sustainable practices. In addition, favorable government policies and investments in research and development are enhancing crop productivity, ensuring the region's continued leadership in the global seed market.

Asia-Pacific is expected to show significant growth in the seed market, driven by increasing urbanization and advancements in agricultural practices. The region's rising population demands innovative farming solutions, leading to a greater focus on high-quality seeds. In addition, government initiatives supporting sustainable agriculture and investment in research and development further enhance market prospects, contributing to a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the coming years.

The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in regulation in the market domestically that impacts the current and future trends of the market. Data points such as down-stream and upstream value chain analysis, technical trends and porter's five forces analysis, case studies are some of the pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, impact of domestic tariffs and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.

Seed Market Share

The market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus related to market.

Seed Market Leaders Operating in the Market Are:

• Bayer AG (Germany)
• Syngenta Crop Protection AG (Switzerland)
• Corteva (U.S.)
• Limagrain (France)
• KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA (Germany)
• East-West Seed (Netherlands)
• Land O'Lakes, Inc. (U.S.)
• Enza Zaden Global (Netherlands)

Latest Developments in Seed Market

• In August 2023, Bayer AG launched its herbicide-tolerant biotech corn variety, Dekalb DK95R, in Banggo village, located in the Manggalewa district of Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. This innovative corn variety is designed to enhance agricultural productivity by offering resistance to specific herbicides, allowing farmers to manage weeds more effectively and maximize yields in challenging growing conditions, contributing significantly to local farming communities
• In July 2023, Syngenta unveiled a new hybrid winter barley that exhibits tolerance to the barley yellowing virus (BYDV) and promises higher yields. This advancement aims to support farmers in achieving better crop performance despite the presence of this damaging virus, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. The introduction of this hybrid is expected to enhance food security and provide economic benefits to barley producers by improving overall crop quality and productivity
• In July 2023, BASF expanded its Xitavo soybean seed portfolio by adding 11 new high-yielding varieties featuring the advanced Enlist E3 technology, specifically designed to combat difficult weeds for the 2024 growing season. This expansion allows farmers to select from a broader range of resilient soybean varieties, enhancing their ability to adapt to various environmental challenges, optimize yields, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices in competitive markets
• In July 2022, Corteva Agriscience, BASF, and MS Technologies signed a significant agreement to develop next-generation Enlist E3 soybeans with a nematode-resistant soybean (NRS) trait, targeted at farmers in the United States and Canada. This collaboration aims to create improved soybean varieties that are not only resistant to nematodes but also capable of enhancing crop yields, thereby addressing critical challenges in soybean farming and supporting farmer profitability in these regions
• In June 2022, a new range of tropicalized lettuce varieties, branded as Arunas RZ, was introduced to the market. This innovative product line is expected to significantly boost the company's market share by catering to the growing demand for versatile and climate-resilient vegetables. By offering varieties that thrive in tropical climates, the company aims to enhance consumer choice while supporting local agriculture and increasing food production capabilities
• In May 2022, Syngenta Canada launched the innovative Pelta seed pelleting technology designed specifically for canola seeds. This technology optimizes seed size and uniformity, enhancing planter performance during the sowing process. By improving singulation, Pelta technology aims to increase planting efficiency and crop establishment rates, ultimately leading to higher yields and better overall productivity for canola farmers, contributing to a more sustainable and profitable agricultural landscape
• In February 2022, BASF’s vegetable seeds business announced the launch of a new tearless onion variety, which is set to hit supermarkets in France, Germany, Italy, and the U.K. This innovative product promises to enhance the consumer experience by reducing the irritation typically associated with onion cutting. The introduction of this tearless onion variety aims to increase consumer satisfaction while also driving sales for retailers and producers in the vegetable market

SKU-54210