Genetically Modified Crops Market Report 2026

The genetically modified crops market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $25.27 billion in 2025 to $26.73 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to early adoption of bt traits, rising pest pressure on conventional crops, growth in herbicide-tolerant cultivation, increasing seed r&d investments, expansion of commercial-scale gm farming.

The genetically modified crops market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $34.4 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for climate-resilient crops, increasing focus on nutrient-enhanced varieties, growing need for high-yield farming systems, expansion of gene-editing technologies, increasing global food security requirements. Major trends in the forecast period include rising development of multi-trait gm varieties, growing emphasis on stress-tolerant crop traits, increased adoption of gm crops by large-scale farmers, expansion of gm crop applications beyond food production, greater focus on shelf-life enhancement traits.

The increasing crop production is expected to drive the growth of the genetically modified crops market going forward. Crop production refers to the process of cultivating and growing plants, typically for human or animal consumption as well as various industrial applications. Genetically modified crops support higher crop production by introducing traits such as pest and disease resistance, helping address global food security challenges by delivering higher yields and greater resilience, meeting rising demand, and reducing pressure on natural ecosystems. For example, in December 2024, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), an Italy-based UN agency, global primary crop production reached 9.9 billion tonnes in 2023, marking a 3% increase from 2022. Therefore, rising crop production is fueling the growth of the genetically modified crops market.

Major companies in the genetically modified crops market are developing advanced products aimed at combating soybean cyst nematode (SCN) to enhance yields and protect against pest infestations. SCN is a microscopic roundworm that primarily targets soybean plants. For example, in June 2024, BASF SE, a Germany-based company specializing in chemical solutions across various industries, launched the Nemasphere nematode resistance trait. This transgenic (genetically modified) trait is specifically designed to fight soybean cyst nematode (SCN), providing soybean farmers with a new tool to improve crop yields without sacrificing performance. Nemasphere employs a unique Cry14 protein that nematodes ingest, disrupting their nutrient uptake and ultimately causing their death. This innovative mechanism represents a significant advancement in nematode management compared to existing transgenic traits used for insect control in crops.

In January 2023, the Germany-based chemical manufacturing company BASF SE acquired ASL for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition was aimed at expanding BASF's hybrid melon seed breeding capacities to strengthen its innovative melon breeding research program and increase breeding and seed production in France. ASL, a France-based seed production and breeding company specializing in melons with orange flesh, including Cantaloupe and Charentais varieties, was the target of this strategic move by BASF.

Major companies operating in the genetically modified crops market are Bayer AG, BASF SE, DuPont, Syngenta AG, The Dow Chemical Company, JR Simplot Co., Groupe Limagrain, Stine Seed Farm, Inc., Calyxt Inc., Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company (MAHYCO), JK Agri Genetics Ltd., Nuseed Pty Ltd, Dabeinong Science and Technology Group Co., Origin Agritech Limited, Monsanto, COODETEC, Nidera and Geneze Seeds S/A, Middle East Agriculture Company, Sensako, Corteva Agriscience, Vilmorin & Cie SA, Rijk Zwaan Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel BV, Sakata Seed Corporation, Yuan Longping High-Tech Agriculture Co Ltd.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on agricultural biotechnology products, seeds, and related inputs are increasing production and import costs for GM crops, particularly affecting major exporting and importing regions such as North America, South America, and Asia-Pacific. Segments including soybean, maize, and cotton experience heightened pricing pressures due to higher seed and technology costs. While tariffs create challenges for cross-border trade and slow penetration in price-sensitive regions, they also encourage domestic seed manufacturing, promote local R&D investments, and support regional self-sufficiency in agricultural biotechnology.

The genetically modified crops market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides genetically modified crops market statistics, including global market size, regional shares, competitors with a genetically modified crops market share, detailed genetically modified crops market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the genetically modified crops industry. This genetically modified crops market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Genetically modified crops (GM crops) are agricultural plants that have undergone alterations to their DNA through genetic engineering techniques. These modifications are made using biotechnology to introduce specific traits, such as improved pest resistance, enhanced nutritional content, or increased tolerance to environmental stressors, all aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and sustainability.

The primary trait categories in genetically modified crops include herbicide tolerance (HT), insect resistance (IR), stacked traits (ST), and others. The key crop varieties encompass soybeans, cotton, maize, oilseed rape, tobacco, and others. Various techniques are employed in the genetic modification of crops, such as gene guns, electroporation, microinjection, agrobacterium, and other methods. The types of modifications include transgenic, cis-genic, sub-genic, and multiple trait integrations, all of which find applications in both scientific research and the cultivation of agricultural crops.North America was the largest region in the genetically modified crops market in 2025. South America was the second largest region in the global genetically modified crops market share. The regions covered in the genetically modified crops market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the genetically modified crops market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The genetically modified crops market consists of revenues earned by entities that are engaged in producing genetically modified corn, genetically modified rice, and other genetically modified crops. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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