Genetically Modified Crops Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, By Trait (Herbicide Tolerance, Insect Resistance, Stacked Traits, Others), By Technique (Gene Guns, Electroporation, Microinjection, Agrobacterium, Others), By Type of Modification (Transgenic, Cis-genic, Sub-genic, Multiple Trait Integration), By Crop Type (Soybean, Cotton, Maize, Oilseed Rape, Canola, Alfalfa, Others), By Application (Scientific Research and Agriculture Crops), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 25.25 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.79%
Fastest Growing Segment	Scientific Research
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 35.39 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Genetically Modified Crops Market will grow from USD 25.25 Billion in 2025 to USD 35.39 Billion by 2031 at a 5.79% CAGR. Genetically modified crops are agricultural plants whose DNA has been modified using genetic engineering methods to introduce beneficial traits such as pest resistance or herbicide tolerance. The market is primarily driven by the escalating demand for global food security amidst rapid population growth, which necessitates higher agricultural yields and consistent crop performance. Furthermore, the adoption of these crops is supported by the need to reduce operational costs through decreased pesticide application and enhanced resilience against environmental stressors.

According to CropLife International, in 2024, the global area cultivated with genetically modified crops increased by 1.9 percent to reach 209.8 million hectares. Despite this expansion, the market encounters a significant challenge in the form of stringent and asynchronous regulatory approval processes across different regions, which can delay commercialization and impede international trade.

Key Market Drivers

Escalating global population and food security concerns are fundamentally reshaping the market, compelling nations to maximize output on existing arable land through genetically modified crops. This urgent need to match supply with growing caloric demands drives the adoption of varieties offering superior pest resistance and yield stability. The widespread reliance on these solutions is evident in major production regions where efficiency is paramount; according to the United States Department of Agriculture, June 2025, in the 'Acreage' report, genetically modified varieties accounted for 96 percent of the total soybean acreage planted in the United States. Furthermore, the massive production scale facilitated by these technologies is reflected globally. According to Conab, in December 2025, the agency estimated Brazil's soybean production for the 2025/2026 harvest at 177.1 million tons, a volume achievable largely due to the high-yield performance of advanced biotech traits.

Technological advancements in gene editing and CRISPR are further propelling growth by enabling precise genomic modifications that enhance crop resilience. These precision breeding techniques allow for the rapid development of traits designed to withstand abiotic stressors such as drought, directly improving farm economics and operational efficiency. The industry's commitment to this innovation trajectory is visible in the substantial capital allocated to next-generation breeding platforms. According to Corteva, February 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024', the company reported research and development expenses of USD 1.4 billion, supporting the advancement of gene-editing technologies. This investment ensures a pipeline of climate-resilient varieties, expanding the market's potential beyond conventional herbicide tolerance.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

Stringent and asynchronous regulatory approval processes across different international jurisdictions constitute a formidable barrier to the growth of the Global Genetically Modified Crops Market. This fragmented regulatory landscape creates a volatile environment for biotechnology companies, where a crop approved in one country may be rejected or subject to indefinite delays in another. Such inconsistencies disrupt international trade flows, as exporters face the risk of shipment rejections if trace amounts of unapproved traits are detected in destination markets. Consequently, these regulatory bottlenecks discourage the synchronization of global supply chains and limit the commercial reach of advanced agricultural products.

The financial and temporal burdens imposed by these rigorous compliance requirements directly stifle innovation and market expansion. The excessive time and capital required to navigate these regulatory mazes prevent smaller entities from entering the market and slow the introduction of new traits. According to CropLife Philippines, in 2024, the comprehensive process to develop, test, and secure regulatory approval for a single genetically modified product took approximately 16 years and required an investment exceeding $100 million. This high barrier to entry restricts the industry's ability to rapidly respond to evolving agricultural needs, thereby hampering the overall growth potential of the market.

Key Market Trends

The widespread adoption of stacked trait varieties is becoming a defining characteristic of the market as producers seek comprehensive solutions to complex agronomic challenges. Farmers are increasingly shifting towards cultivars that combine multiple modes of action, such as simultaneous herbicide tolerance and insect resistance, to mitigate the growing threat of pest resistance and simplify crop management. This consolidation of traits into single germplasm platforms allows for greater operational efficiency and yield protection under variable field conditions. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, January 2026, in the 'Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the United States' report, this preference for multi-functional seeds resulted in stacked varieties accounting for approximately 87 percent of cotton acres and 84 percent of corn acres planted in the United States in 2025.

The development of next-generation abiotic stress-tolerant cultivars is expanding the market's scope beyond traditional pest control, addressing physical resilience against extreme weather. Innovations in crop architecture, particularly short-stature varieties, are being commercialized to prevent lodging and green snap caused by high winds, while also enabling season-long access for nutrient application. This structural adaptation represents a shift towards climate-smart agriculture, ensuring harvestability in increasingly volatile climates. According to Farm Progress, August 2025, in the 'Bayer unveils short-stature corn system at Husker Harvest Days' article, the commercial rollout of the Preceon Smart Corn System targeted approximately 100,000 acres across North America in 2025, highlighting the rapid uptake of these resilience-focused technologies.

Segmental Insights

The Scientific Research segment is recognized as the fastest-growing category within the Global Genetically Modified Crops Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by the increasing adoption of advanced gene-editing technologies, such as CRISPR, which allow research institutions to execute precise genomic modifications with greater efficiency. Furthermore, rising investments from academic and government bodies are accelerating studies focused on next-generation traits, including climate resilience and biofortification. These concerted R&D efforts aim to address critical food security challenges, thereby fueling substantial demand for genetically modified seeds and plant materials for experimental applications.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the Global Genetically Modified Crops Market due to the extensive adoption of agricultural biotechnology across the United States and Canada. This dominance is driven by the widespread cultivation of modified corn, soybean, and cotton varieties designed for improved resistance to pests and herbicides. Furthermore, the region benefits from a structured regulatory framework involving the United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. These institutions provide clear guidelines for safety and product approval, creating a stable environment that supports the continuous commercialization and development of crop technologies.

Recent Developments

• In August 2024, a provider of crop productivity technologies achieved a significant regulatory milestone that advanced the Global Genetically Modified Crops Market. Bioceres Crop Solutions announced that the United States Department of Agriculture had favorably concluded its Regulatory Status Review for the company's proprietary HB4 wheat technology. This determination allowed for the cultivation of the drought-tolerant genetically modified wheat in the United States, positioning it as the fourth country to greenlight the crop's production. The approval validated the safety and resilience of the technology, which is designed to support farming systems in water-scarce environments and improve global food security.
• In June 2024, a leading agricultural technology corporation announced a breakthrough initiative to foster scientific advancement within the Global Genetically Modified Crops Market. Syngenta Group launched a collaborative platform named "Shoots by Syngenta," which granted academic researchers and scientists access to its proprietary genome-editing technologies, including optimized CRISPR-Cas12a tools. By sharing these intellectual property rights, the company aimed to accelerate the discovery of complex crop traits and drive the development of sustainable agricultural solutions. This open-innovation approach was designed to facilitate partnerships that could lead to the next generation of resilient, high-yielding crops.
• In May 2024, a global life science enterprise strengthened its innovation pipeline in the Global Genetically Modified Crops Market through a strategic collaboration with the biotechnology startup Pairwise. Bayer announced that it had acquired a license to commercialize gene-edited mustard greens, which were engineered to possess improved flavor and higher nutritional value compared to conventional varieties. This partnership allowed the company to integrate advanced genome-editing tools into its development programs, aiming to accelerate the creation of novel vegetable varieties. The agreement highlighted the growing importance of new genomic techniques in complementing traditional genetically modified crops to address consumer demand for healthy, convenient produce.
• In January 2024, a major pure-play agriculture company expanded its portfolio in the Global Genetically Modified Crops Market with the commercial launch of a new class of corn products. Corteva Agriscience introduced forty new corn hybrids under its Brevant seed brand, which were made widely available for the planting season. These products featured advanced genetically modified traits, including Vorceed Enlist and PowerCore Enlist technology, designed to provide farmers with flexible weed management options and robust protection against corn rootworm. This launch underscored the company's strategy to deliver high-performance genetics and biotech solutions to enhance yield potential for North American growers.

Key Market Players

• BASF SE
• Mosanto Company
• Bayer CropScience LLC
• Syngenta AG
• The Dow Chemical Company
• DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
• Groupe Limagrain Holdings Corporation
• JR Simplot Co.
• JKAgri Genetics Ltd.
• Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company Private Limited

By Trait	By Technique	By Type of Modification	By Crop Type	By Application	By Region
Herbicide Tolerance Insect Resistance Stacked Traits Others	Gene Guns Electroporation Microinjection Agrobacterium Others	Transgenic Cis-genic Sub-genic Multiple Trait Integration	Soybean Cotton Maize Oilseed Rape Canola Alfalfa Others	Scientific Research Agriculture Crops	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Genetically Modified Crops Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Genetically Modified Crops Market, By Trait:

• Herbicide Tolerance
• Insect Resistance
• Stacked Traits
• Others

• Genetically Modified Crops Market, By Technique:

• Gene Guns
• Electroporation
• Microinjection
• Agrobacterium
• Others

• Genetically Modified Crops Market, By Type of Modification:

• Transgenic
• Cis-genic
• Sub-genic
• Multiple Trait Integration

• Genetically Modified Crops Market, By Crop Type:

• Soybean
• Cotton
• Maize
• Oilseed Rape
• Canola
• Alfalfa
• Others

• Genetically Modified Crops Market, By Application:

• Scientific Research
• Agriculture Crops

• Genetically Modified Crops Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE