Seeds Market By Type (Conventional Seeds, Genetically Modified (GM) Seeds), By Product Type (Field Crops {Cereal Grains, Oilseeds, Pulses, Others} Vegetable Seeds {Leafy Vegetables, Root and Tuber Crops, Herbs, Others} Fruit Seeds {Citrus Fruits, Berries, Stone Fruits, Others} Flowers and Ornamental Plants {Perennial Flowers, Shrubs and Trees, Others} Others), By End-User (Agricultural, Seed Companies & Distributors, Home Gardening, Research Institutes, Others), Global Market Size, Segmental analysis, Regional Overview, Company Share Analysis, Leading Company Profiles And Market Forecast, 2025 – 2035

Industry Outlook

The Seeds market accounted for USD 64.2 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 140.8 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 7.4% between 2025 and 2035.  The seeds market concerns trade and commercialization of the diverse varieties of seeds used in agriculture, gardening, and landscaping. These encompass fruits, vegetables, grains, herbs, and flower seed varieties. Many of the drivers of this market involve the growing demand for food around the world and sustainable farming systems to achieve greater yields.

Other factors influencing market dynamics include technological advancement in seed development, the trend of organic farming, and climate change. Key players in the seed market include seed producers, agribusinesses, and biotech companies. The market continues to grow with technologies in genetically modified seeds as well as precision agriculture.

Report Scope:

Market Dynamics

• Rising Population Drives Demand for High-Yielding Seeds

The world's population is demanding more productive, better-resilient crops. Depleting land under arable and the potential menace of climate change on agricultural productivity has made more farmers adopt advanced seed technologies, which include genetically modified (GM) seeds and disease-resistant seeds. Increased demand for protein-rich products like meat and dairy creates pressure to exert more effective farm practices.

The agriculture sector of the world demands much greater productivity compared to the current states. However, the response to this demand has been a significant investment of governments and institutions in agricultural R&D. For example, USDA spends more than $1 billion annually on agricultural research. All these investments plus market-driven innovations continue driving the demand for quality resilient seeds.

• Growing Popularity of Nutrient-Rich Crops with Enhanced Vitamins and Minerals

The seeds market is being significantly driven forward by the growing demand for nutrient-rich crops, such as enhanced vitamin and mineral-rich crops. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) reports biofortification can reach more than 1 billion people and improves the health of populations in developing countries.

With increasing awareness of healthy living among consumers, it is preferred to grow crops with better nutritional value, such as new biofortified rice, wheat, and maize varieties. There is also a development in genetic modification and biotechnology to product seeds that facilitate crop nutritional profiling to keep up with this ever-rising demand worldwide for healthy foods.

These innovations are further accelerated by government programs and investments in agricultural research, thus facilitating growth in the market for seeds that would help in food security and nutritional improvement.

• Cross-Contamination Between GM and Non-GMO Seeds Raises Legal and Commercial Challenges

A higher challenge in the seeds market is the cross-contamination between GM and non-GMO seeds, it tends to cause legal and commercial complications. As GM crops spread extensively across the world, mixing GM with their non-GM varieties has become a problem for these organic farmers and producers, who require keeping their product status non-GM. This contamination leads to intellectual property rights disputes in court and may disrupt the markets since the export markets don't accept contaminated crops.

The risks of contamination call for stronger policies and guidelines to govern the crops that are not GMO. The complexity of this adds to the commercial dynamics facing the seeds market, especially where consumers or markets demand non-GMO products. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), about 92% of the U.S. soybean crop that was harvested in 2021 was genetically modified, which has included a major share of all crops grown on the continent.

• Rising Demand for Organic and Non-GMO Varieties Creates New Market Opportunities

The most significant potential for seed market growth would be in the rapidly growing demand for organic, non-GMO, and heirloom varieties. Consumers have become increasingly concerned about health and environmental issues and thus are currently opting for natural, chemical-free produce, which in turn places greater demand on organic and non-GMO seeds. Heirloom varieties are also gaining popularity because of their distinct flavors and traditional modes of cultivation.

The US organic food market equally hit $62 billion in sales in 2021, with an increase of 12.4% over the preceding year, and increasingly shows demand for organic produce. Given this new trend of consumers, seed companies have fertile ground here where they can focus on producing and marketing organic and non-GMO seed varieties as a fast-expanding niche.

• Biodegradable Seed Packaging Meets Growing Demand for Sustainability in Agriculture

As agriculture and more industries realize that sustainable alternatives are becoming increasingly sought after, growing demand to limit plastic in environments creates a very practical business opportunity for the seed market. Generating nearly 35 million tons of plastic waste alone in 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported that change is in order.

This trend is inspiring the demand for biodegradable seed packing, which can be perceived as more environmentally friendly compared to traditional plastics. Therefore, this new trend of environment-friendly practices has consumers and farmers scrambling for such materials as plant fibers and compostable plastics. In receipt of all this change, the survival of seed companies can also depend on the acceptance of environmental expectations from consumers while pushing further into a rapidly changing market.

Industry Experts Opinion

“We had to manually measure plant height, leaf shape and other traits. Now, we can remotely control this platform to collect crop information, which eases the burden on breeding experts and accelerates their research progress,"

• Li Yichao, a research assistant at the National Nanfan Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science

Segment Analysis

Based on the type, the seeds market is classified into Conventional Seeds and Genetically Modified (GM) Seeds. Conventional seeds include traditional varieties, while GM seeds are genetically engineered for traits like pest resistance or higher yields, catering to evolving agricultural needs and enhancing crop productivity. Genetically Modified (GM) Seeds are currently the leading segment due to their ability to increase crop yield, reduce pesticide use, and enhance resilience to environmental stress.

The seeds market is categorized by product type into Field Crops, Vegetable Seeds, Fruit Seeds, and Flowers and Ornamental Plants. These segments encompass a wide range of crops and plants, each catering to specific agricultural and horticultural needs. Field Crops are the leading segment due to the high global demand for staple crops like wheat, corn, and soybeans, essential for food security and biofuel production.

The seeds market is segmented by end-user into Agricultural, Seed Companies & Distributors, Home Gardening, Research Institutes, and Others. These segments represent the diverse applications of seeds, ranging from large-scale farming and distribution to small-scale home gardening and research purposes. Agricultural is the leading end-user segment, driven by the growing demand for food production, biofuels, and feed crops.

Regional Analysis

North America has been the leading region in the seed market, primarily because of the United States, which possesses a well-developed agricultural sector and enjoys a strong adoption of advanced seed technologies, including GM seeds. Large demand for high-yield, climate-resilient, and genetically engineered crops has kept it as the primary globally dominating seed-producing region. The region also has significant investments in research and development for seed varieties to ensure continued innovations for both the food and biofuel industries. Established infrastructure, strong agricultural sustainability efforts, and strong support among such market leadership add to the success of North America.

The Asia-Pacific region is considered a growth region, where its huge agricultural base is expected to raise the demand for better seed varieties for greater food security. Examples of such growth include India, China, and Japan, in which more conventional and GM seeds are adopted due to a growing population, changing diets and lifestyles, and the increasing importance of good farming practices. Technological developments in precision agriculture and increased investments in agriculture innovations are fueling growth in this region. Increased demand for quality seeds in this region further promotes the emphasis on climate resilience, which is capable enough to resist extreme conditions, hence increasing market growth.

Competitive Landscape

The highly competitive and global market for seeds is characterized by the presence of strong global players, including Bayer CropScience, Corteva Agriscience, Syngenta, BASF, and Limagrain. They augment their geographic presence through acquisition and innovation. Bayer, acquisition of Monsanto helped it to secure a strong position in genetically modified seeds; in Corteva, it has strengthened its portfolio related to crop protection and seed traits.

Those big investments by Syngenta in digital farming and by BASF in seed breeding capabilities would mean more specific investments in seeds for vegetables and cereals. When the demand continues to go up for agriculture that will eventually be more sustainable, these companies would now go further in developing organic and climate-resilient farms.

Seeds Market, Company Shares Analysis, 2024

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Recent Developments:

• In October 2024, Syngenta launched Cropwise AI, a generative AI system designed to enhance agricultural efficiency. The system offers tailored seed recommendations and uses predictive modeling to forecast crop growth and yield, helping farmers optimize their decision-making.
• In August 2023, Bayer AG launched the herbicide-tolerant biotech corn Dekalb DK95R in Banggo village, Manggalewa district, Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
• In January 2023, Epic Gardening acquired Botanical Interests, a Colorado-based seed company specializing in vegetable, herb, and flower seed packets. This acquisition expanded Epic Gardening's presence in the wholesale market.

Report Coverage:

By Type

• Conventional Seeds
• Genetically Modified (GM) Seeds

By Product Type

• Field Crops
  • Cereal Grains
  • Oilseeds
  • Pulses
  • Others
• Vegetable Seeds
  • Leafy Vegetables
  • Root and Tuber Crops
  • Herbs
  • Others
• Fruit Seeds
  • Citrus Fruits
  • Berries
  • Stone Fruits
  • Others
• Flowers and Ornamental Plants
  • Perennial Flowers
  • Shrubs and Trees
  • Others
• Others

By End-User

• Agricultural
• Seed Companies & Distributors
• Home Gardening
• Research Institutes
• Others

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC Countries
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

List of Companies:

• Bayer CropScience
• Monsanto
• Syngenta
• Corteva Agriscience
• BASF
• DuPont Pioneer
• Limagrain
• Mahyco
• Rallis India
• Nuziveedu Seeds
• Sakata Seed Corporation
• Dow AgroSciences
• Vilmorin & Cie
• Enza Zaden
• Takii & Co., Ltd.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)