According to a research report “Seeds Market by Type (Genetically Modified, Conventional), Trait (Herbicide Tolerance, Insect Resistance), Crop Type (Cereals & Grains, Oilseeds & Pulses, Fruits & Vegetables), Treatment (Treated and Un-treated) and Region – Global Forecast to 2028” published by MarketsandMarkets, the seeds market size is estimated at USD 58.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 83.3 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2023 to 2028. As customers demand organic and pesticide-free food, the organic agricultural business has grown significantly. Organic farming primarily relies on certified organic seeds, increasing demand for organic seeds and contributing to the expansion of the seeds industry. The move to renewable energy sources has resulted in an increase in biofuel production. Feedstock for biofuel production includes crops such as maize, soybeans, and canola. As a result, the demand for seeds ideal for biofuel crops has surged, propelling the seeds industry forward, is further fueling the growth of the market.
North America is estimated to be the largest region during the study period.
In North America, biotech crops, especially genetically modified (GM) seeds, have grown in popularity. These crops have advantages such as herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, and greater yield potential, resulting in increasing acceptance and market expansion. In North America, there is a rising demand for specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables, and high-value commodities. Farmers demand particular seeds appropriate for various crops, which provide distinct features, flavors, and nutritional profiles, propelling the seeds business forward, and hence it is projected to foster at a higher rate in the seed market.
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Herbicide tolerance is estimated to be the fastest-growing segment during the review period.
Herbicide tolerance seed types provide an efficient answer to the rising frequency of herbicide-resistant weeds. These seeds have been genetically engineered to tolerate certain herbicides, allowing farmers to more effectively eliminate resistant weeds.
Herbicide-tolerant seed variants eliminate the requirement for manual weed control methods such as hand weeding or mechanical cultivation. Farmers save time and labor as a result, resulting in cost savings and enhanced efficiency. These are the factors that are driving the growth of the segment.
- BASF SE (Germany)
- Bayer AG (Germany)
- Syngenta Crop Protection AG (Switzerland)
- KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA (Germany)
- Corteva (US)
- Limagrain (France)
- Advanta Seeds (India)
- Sakata Seed Corporation (Japan)
- DLF Seeds A/S (Denmark)
- Enza Zaden Beheer B.V. (Netherlands)
- Rallis India Limited (India)
Opportunity: Molecular breeding in seeds
Gene-tagged markers help reduce the time consumed in selecting the desired genes in progenies and parents. Molecular breeding allows breeders to identify desirable traits more rapidly and accurately than traditional breeding methods. By using molecular markers linked to specific traits, breeders can screen and select plants with desired traits at an early stage, reducing the time required for multiple generations of crossbreeding.
By incorporating molecular markers, breeders can reduce the subjectivity and ambiguity associated with phenotypic selection, making the breeding process more accurate. Molecular breeding helps overcome challenges such as environmental influences, phenotypic plasticity, or traits that are difficult to evaluate visually.
It has been found that genetic engineering and modification are better options for developing improved, disease-resistant oilseed varieties as compared to MAS and other molecular breeding techniques. Apart from company efforts, several breeding programs have been developed for oilseeds using molecular breeding techniques and molecular markers for the gene selection process. China and India are the main countries engaged in using MAS for the development of high-yielding oilseeds. More programs are to be introduced in the near future, which can help in using other molecular breeding technologies for oilseed production.