Asia-Pacific Seed Market Size and Share

Asia-Pacific Seed Market Summary
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Asia-Pacific Seed Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The Asia-Pacific seed market size reached USD 23.16 billion in 2025 and is forecast to climb to USD 27.97 billion by 2030, advancing at a 3.84% CAGR. This growth reflects a shift from volume expansion to value creation, as government programs, precision agriculture investments, and biotechnology adoption reshape seed demand across the region.[1]Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs China, “Agricultural Development Policies,” MOA.GOV.CN Farmers are gravitating toward hybrid and gene-edited lines that deliver higher yields, climate resilience, and input-use efficiency. Intensifying food security targets in China, India, and Southeast Asia sustains demand for premium traits, while venture funding and public-private partnerships accelerate research and development (R&D) pipelines. The Asia-Pacific seed market is highly fragmented, with the top five companies holding a relatively small combined share, leaving significant room for regional specialists. 

Key Report Takeaways

  • By breeding technology, hybrids captured 70.10% of Asia-Pacific seed market size in 2024, and open-pollinated varieties and hybrid derivatives are advancing at a 4.1% CAGR to 2030.
  • By cultivation mechanism, open-field systems commanded only 99.1% of the Asia-Pacific seed market size in 2024, and protected cultivation is registering the fastest 7.1% CAGR through 2030.
  • By crop type, row crops accounted for 87.70% of the Asia-Pacific seed market size in 2024, while the vegetables segment is expanding at a 4.9% CAGR.
  • By geography, China led with a 53.40% Asia-Pacific seed market share in 2024, but Australia is projected to record the highest 5.8% CAGR to 2030.

Segment Analysis

By Breeding Technology: Hybrids Drive Premium Uptake

Hybrid seeds held 70.10% of Asia-Pacific seed market share in 2024. Non-transgenic hybrids remain the volume engine because they meet yield goals while sidestepping biotech regulations. In China and India, heterosis advantages deliver 15-25% yield lifts at affordable price points. Transgenic hybrids are gaining traction in herbicide-tolerant corn and insect-resistant cotton, especially where regulatory pathways are clearer. Meanwhile, open-pollinated varieties and hybrid derivatives are posting a 4.1% CAGR as cost-sensitive growers aim to save seed and reduce annual purchases. Suppliers balance premium hybrids with lower-priced lines, ensuring broad coverage across farm sizes and income groups. Marker-assisted selection and genomic tools shorten breeding cycles, letting companies stack traits faster and sustain differentiation in the Asia-Pacific seed market.

Open-pollinated solutions are furthering rural development goals, particularly in China’s grain self-sufficiency plan. State enterprises channel grant funding to enhance stress tolerance and nutrient-use efficiency in public-domain germplasm. Private firms, by contrast, focus on stacking herbicide, insect, and drought traits in proprietary hybrids, seizing higher margins. The coexistence of both strategies underscores the diversity of the Asia-Pacific seed market.

Asia-Pacific Seed Market: Market Share by Breeding Technology

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By Cultivation Mechanism: Protected Systems Transform Economics

By cultivation mechanism, open-field systems accounted for only 99.1% of the Asia-Pacific seed market size in 2024, while protected cultivation is anticipated to register the fastest growth rate of 7.1% through 2030. Japan covers 52,000 hectares with greenhouses backed by subsidies and smart controls. China’s greenhouse gas footprint is growing at a rate of 18% per year to meet urban demand. Seeds tailored for high humidity, limited light, or vertical racks command premiums, boosting supplier profitability. Breeding priorities include compact architecture, rapid maturity, and disease resistance suitable for closed environments.

Open-field systems still dominate because they service extensive acreage of grain and oilseed crops. Even here, modernization is visible through satellite-guided planters in Australia and drone spraying in India. As government programs promote climate-smart agriculture, demand for open-field seeds is shifting toward drought-tolerant and nutrient-efficient varieties, ensuring the Asia-Pacific seed market remains responsive to climate realities.

By Crop Type: Row Crops Anchor Value but Vegetables Accelerate

Row crops represented 87.70% of Asia-Pacific seed market share in 2024, reflecting the region’s staple-grain focus. Rice, wheat, corn, and soybeans are essential to food security agendas. China’s national targets, India’s rice self-sufficiency, and Indonesia’s corn programs all funnel public funding into high-yielding row-crop varieties. Trait priorities revolve around yield stability, pest resistance, and mechanization compatibility.

Conversely, vegetables are rising fastest at a 4.9% CAGR as consumers pursue fresh, nutrient-rich diets and urban middle-class spending grows. Protected cultivation accentuates this trend by enabling year-round harvests. Southeast Asian exporters seek disease-resistant tomato, pepper, and leafy lines with extended shelf life to meet destination-market standards. Vegetable breeding emphasizes flavor, color, and antioxidant content, widening the product gap between commodity cereals and high-value produce. Suppliers able to balance bulk row-crop volume with niche vegetable genetics will capture disproportionate returns in the Asia-Pacific seed market.

Asia-Pacific Seed Market: Market Share by Crop Type

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Geography Analysis

China controlled 53.40% of Asia-Pacific seed market share in 2024 through state-directed consolidation. China’s policy integration gives domestic suppliers scale and regulatory advantages. The government accelerated trait approvals for locally developed lines in 2025, ensuring quicker time-to-market. Provincial subsidies for climate-smart varieties further lift adoption. Counterfeit control is improving via QR-based traceability, helping to restore farmer confidence. India’s market is shaped by its smallholder majority. 

The Seed Replacement Rate still lags global peers, signaling latent demand. Liberalizing gene-editing rules and expanding hybrid subsidies in rice and wheat are unlocking buyer willingness. Local champions, such as Kaveri Seeds and Nuziveedu, use deep distributor networks to penetrate remote areas. Australia is the fastest-growing geography at a 5.8% CAGR. Australia’s export-driven mindset necessitates superior genetics. Public research institutions partner with Corteva and Bayer on drought resilience and grain quality. Strong intellectual-property regimes allow breeders to capture royalties, reinforcing premium positioning in the Asia-Pacific seed market.

Southeast Asian countries are in a rapid modernization phase. Thailand and Vietnam channel foreign direct investment into protected cultivation and seed processing. Indonesia is opening its trait-approval pathway to accelerate corn and soybean yield lifts. Collectively, these markets provide incremental demand and diversification.

Competitive Landscape

The Asia-Pacific seed market is highly fragmented, with the top five companies holding a relatively small combined share, leaving significant room for regional specialists. Global majors, Bayer AG, Corteva Agriscience, Syngenta Group, Advanta Seeds (UPL Ltd.), and Yuan Longping High-Tech Agriculture Co. Ltd, deploy biotechnology portfolios, digital agronomy tools, and outcome-based offerings to defend and extend positions. 

Regional leaders such as East-West Seed dominate vegetable niches through farmer training and strong retail presence. Strategic shifts favor platform competition. Companies integrate seed genetics with crop-monitoring apps, satellite imagery, and yield-based insurance. Corteva’s 2024 acquisition of Pacific Seeds extended its drought-tolerant wheat lines. 

Bayer’s research investment in China and India accelerates local trait adaptation. East-West Seed expanded capacity in Vietnam to meet vegetable demand in fast-urbanizing zones. The white space lies in climate resilience, biological seed treatments, and digital marketplaces that curb counterfeit trade, all vital to the Asia-Pacific seed market outlook.

Asia-Pacific Seed Industry Leaders

  1. Bayer AG

  2. Corteva Agriscience

  3. Syngenta Group

  4. Yuan Longping High-Tech Agriculture Co. Ltd

  5. Advanta Seeds (UPL Ltd.)

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Market Concentration
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Recent Industry Developments

  • November 2025: The Asian Seed Congress 2025 was inaugurated in Mumbai by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, bringing together global and regional stakeholders from the seed industry. Organized by the Asia and Pacific Seed Association (APSA), the event serves as a major platform for collaboration, trade, and innovation in the Asia-Pacific seed market.
  • July 2025: UPL Ltd., through its subsidiary Advanta Seeds International Mauritius, has acquired full ownership of Wuhan Advanta Seeds Company Limited (Advanta China). This strategic move, marks UPL’s entry into the Chinese agri-inputs and seed market, reinforcing its presence in Asia and signaling long-term growth ambitions
  • March 2024: Syngenta Vegetable Seeds opened a state-of-the-art Seed Health Lab in Nuthankal, near Hyderabad, India. This is India’s first dedicated seed health lab, designed to provide internationally accredited testing and strengthen Syngenta’s global quality control network, supporting both domestic growers and export ambitions.

Table of Contents for Asia-Pacific Seed Industry Report

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study​
  • 1.3 Research Methodology

2. REPORT OFFERS

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND KEY FINDINGS

4. KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS

  • 4.1 Area Under Cultivation
    • 4.1.1 Row Crops
    • 4.1.2 Vegetables
  • 4.2 Most Popular Traits
    • 4.2.1 Alfalfa and Forage Corn
    • 4.2.2 Cabbage and Lettuce
    • 4.2.3 Rice and Corn
    • 4.2.4 Tomato and Chilli
    • 4.2.5 Wheat and Cotton
  • 4.3 Breeding Techniques
    • 4.3.1 Row Crops and Vegetables
  • 4.4 Regulatory Framework
  • 4.5 Value Chain and Distribution Channel Analysis
  • 4.6 Market Drivers
    • 4.6.1 Rising adoption of protected cultivation
    • 4.6.2 Government hybrid-seed subsidy programs
    • 4.6.3 Expansion of seed treatment and coating technologies
    • 4.6.4 Climate-resilient varietal R&D pipelines
    • 4.6.5 Gene-editing (CRISPR) deregulation momentum
    • 4.6.6 Digital seed marketplaces and traceability platforms
  • 4.7 Market Restraints
    • 4.7.1 Counterfeit seed trade across regional borders
    • 4.7.2 Regulatory delays for trait approvals
    • 4.7.3 Smallholder affordability gap for biotech traits
    • 4.7.4 Biodiversity-driven NGO opposition to GM crops

5. MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECASTS (VALUE AND VOLUME)

  • 5.1 Breeding Technology
    • 5.1.1 Hybrids
    • 5.1.1.1 Non-Transgenic Hybrids
    • 5.1.1.2 Transgenic Hybrids
    • 5.1.1.2.1 Herbicide Tolerant Hybrids
    • 5.1.1.2.2 Insect Resistant Hybrids
    • 5.1.1.2.3 Other Traits
    • 5.1.2 Open Pollinated Varieties and Hybrid Derivatives
  • 5.2 Cultivation Mechanism
    • 5.2.1 Open Field
    • 5.2.2 Protected Cultivation
  • 5.3 Crop Type
    • 5.3.1 Row Crops
    • 5.3.1.1 Fiber Crops
    • 5.3.1.1.1 Cotton
    • 5.3.1.1.2 Other Fiber Crops
    • 5.3.1.2 Forage Crops
    • 5.3.1.2.1 Alfalfa
    • 5.3.1.2.2 Forage Corn
    • 5.3.1.2.3 Forage Sorghum
    • 5.3.1.2.4 Other Forage Crops
    • 5.3.1.3 Grains and Cereals
    • 5.3.1.3.1 Corn
    • 5.3.1.3.2 Rice
    • 5.3.1.3.3 Sorghum
    • 5.3.1.3.4 Wheat
    • 5.3.1.3.5 Other Grains and Cereals
    • 5.3.1.4 Oilseeds
    • 5.3.1.4.1 Canola, Rapeseed and Mustard
    • 5.3.1.4.2 Soybean
    • 5.3.1.4.3 Sunflower
    • 5.3.1.4.4 Other Oilseeds
    • 5.3.1.5 Pulses
    • 5.3.1.5.1 Pulses
    • 5.3.2 Vegetables
    • 5.3.2.1 Brassicas
    • 5.3.2.1.1 Cabbage
    • 5.3.2.1.2 Cauliflower and Broccoli
    • 5.3.2.1.3 Other Brassicas
    • 5.3.2.2 Cucurbits
    • 5.3.2.2.1 Cucumber and Gherkin
    • 5.3.2.2.2 Pumpkin and Squash
    • 5.3.2.2.3 Other Cucurbits
    • 5.3.2.3 Roots and Bulbs
    • 5.3.2.3.1 Garlic
    • 5.3.2.3.2 Onion
    • 5.3.2.3.3 Potato
    • 5.3.2.3.4 Other Roots and Bulbs
    • 5.3.2.4 Solanaceae
    • 5.3.2.4.1 Chilli
    • 5.3.2.4.2 Eggplant
    • 5.3.2.4.3 Tomato
    • 5.3.2.4.4 Other Solanaceae
    • 5.3.2.5 Unclassified Vegetables
    • 5.3.2.5.1 Asparagus
    • 5.3.2.5.2 Lettuce
    • 5.3.2.5.3 Okra
    • 5.3.2.5.4 Peas
    • 5.3.2.5.5 Spinach
    • 5.3.2.5.6 Other Unclassified Vegetables
  • 5.4 Geography
    • 5.4.1 Australia
    • 5.4.2 Bangladesh
    • 5.4.3 China
    • 5.4.4 India
    • 5.4.5 Indonesia
    • 5.4.6 Japan
    • 5.4.7 Myanmar
    • 5.4.8 Pakistan
    • 5.4.9 Philippines
    • 5.4.10 Thailand
    • 5.4.11 Vietnam
    • 5.4.12 Rest of Asia-Pacific

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Key Strategic Moves
  • 6.2 Market Share Analysis
  • 6.3 Company Landscape
  • 6.4 Company Profiles (Includes Global Level Overview, Market Level Overview, Core Segments, Financials as Available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share for Key Companies, Products and Services, and Recent Developments)
    • 6.4.1 Bayer AG
    • 6.4.2 Corteva Agriscience
    • 6.4.3 Syngenta Group
    • 6.4.4 BASF SE
    • 6.4.5 Advanta Seeds (UPL Ltd.)
    • 6.4.6 East-West Seed
    • 6.4.7 Groupe Limagrain
    • 6.4.8 Sakata Seed Corporation
    • 6.4.9 Rijk Zwaan Holding
    • 6.4.10 Kaveri Seed Company Ltd.
    • 6.4.11 Takii and Co., Ltd.
    • 6.4.12 Mahyco
    • 6.4.13 Enza Zaden Holding
    • 6.4.14 Nuziveedu Seeds
    • 6.4.15 Yuan Longping High-Tech Agriculture Co., Ltd.

7. KEY STRATEGIC QUESTIONS FOR SEEDS CEOS

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Asia-Pacific Seed Market Report Scope

Hybrids, Open Pollinated Varieties & Hybrid Derivatives are covered as segments by Breeding Technology. Open Field, Protected Cultivation are covered as segments by Cultivation Mechanism. Row Crops, Vegetables are covered as segments by Crop Type. Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam are covered as segments by Country.
Breeding Technology
Hybrids Non-Transgenic Hybrids
Transgenic Hybrids Herbicide Tolerant Hybrids
Insect Resistant Hybrids
Other Traits
Open Pollinated Varieties and Hybrid Derivatives
Cultivation Mechanism
Open Field
Protected Cultivation
Crop Type
Row Crops Fiber Crops Cotton
Other Fiber Crops
Forage Crops Alfalfa
Forage Corn
Forage Sorghum
Other Forage Crops
Grains and Cereals Corn
Rice
Sorghum
Wheat
Other Grains and Cereals
Oilseeds Canola, Rapeseed and Mustard
Soybean
Sunflower
Other Oilseeds
Pulses Pulses
Vegetables Brassicas Cabbage
Cauliflower and Broccoli
Other Brassicas
Cucurbits Cucumber and Gherkin
Pumpkin and Squash
Other Cucurbits
Roots and Bulbs Garlic
Onion
Potato
Other Roots and Bulbs
Solanaceae Chilli
Eggplant
Tomato
Other Solanaceae
Unclassified Vegetables Asparagus
Lettuce
Okra
Peas
Spinach
Other Unclassified Vegetables
Geography
Australia
Bangladesh
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Myanmar
Pakistan
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Rest of Asia-Pacific
Breeding Technology Hybrids Non-Transgenic Hybrids
Transgenic Hybrids Herbicide Tolerant Hybrids
Insect Resistant Hybrids
Other Traits
Open Pollinated Varieties and Hybrid Derivatives
Cultivation Mechanism Open Field
Protected Cultivation
Crop Type Row Crops Fiber Crops Cotton
Other Fiber Crops
Forage Crops Alfalfa
Forage Corn
Forage Sorghum
Other Forage Crops
Grains and Cereals Corn
Rice
Sorghum
Wheat
Other Grains and Cereals
Oilseeds Canola, Rapeseed and Mustard
Soybean
Sunflower
Other Oilseeds
Pulses Pulses
Vegetables Brassicas Cabbage
Cauliflower and Broccoli
Other Brassicas
Cucurbits Cucumber and Gherkin
Pumpkin and Squash
Other Cucurbits
Roots and Bulbs Garlic
Onion
Potato
Other Roots and Bulbs
Solanaceae Chilli
Eggplant
Tomato
Other Solanaceae
Unclassified Vegetables Asparagus
Lettuce
Okra
Peas
Spinach
Other Unclassified Vegetables
Geography Australia
Bangladesh
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Myanmar
Pakistan
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Rest of Asia-Pacific
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Market Definition

  • Commercial Seed - For the purpose of this study, only commercial seeds have been included as part of the scope. Farm-saved Seeds, which are not commercially labeled are excluded from scope, even though a minor percentage of farm-saved seeds are exchanged commercially among farmers. The scope also excludes vegetatively reproduced crops and plant parts, which may be commercially sold in the market.
  • Crop Acreage - While calculating the acreage under different crops, the Gross Cropped Area has been considered. Also known as Area Harvested, according to the Food & Agricultural Organization (FAO), this includes the total area cultivated under a particular crop across seasons.
  • Seed Replacement Rate - Seed Replacement Rate is the percentage of area sown out of the total area of crop planted in the season by using certified/quality seeds other than the farm-saved seed.
  • Protected Cultivation - The report defines protected cultivation as the process of growing crops in a controlled environment. This includes greenhouses, glasshouses, hydroponics, aeroponics, or any other cultivation system that protects the crop against any abiotic stress. However, cultivation in an open field using plastic mulch is excluded from this definition and is included under open field.
Keyword Definition
Row Crops These are usually the field crops which include the different crop categories like grains & cereals, oilseeds, fiber crops like cotton, pulses, and forage crops.
Solanaceae These are the family of flowering plants which includes tomato, chili, eggplants, and other crops.
Cucurbits It represents a gourd family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera. The major crops considered for this study include Cucumber & Gherkin, Pumpkin and squash, and other crops.
Brassicas It is a genus of plants in the cabbage and mustard family. It includes crops such as carrots, cabbage, cauliflower & broccoli.
Roots & Bulbs The roots and bulbs segment includes onion, garlic, potato, and other crops.
Unclassified Vegetables This segment in the report includes the crops which don’t belong to any of the above-mentioned categories. These include crops such as okra, asparagus, lettuce, peas, spinach, and others.
Hybrid Seed It is the first generation of the seed produced by controlling cross-pollination and by combining two or more varieties, or species.
Transgenic Seed It is a seed that is genetically modified to contain certain desirable input and/or output traits.
Non-Transgenic Seed The seed produced through cross-pollination without any genetic modification.
Open-Pollinated Varieties & Hybrid Derivatives Open-pollinated varieties produce seeds true to type as they cross-pollinate only with other plants of the same variety.
Other Solanaceae The crops considered under other Solanaceae include bell peppers and other different peppers based on the locality of the respective countries.
Other Brassicaceae The crops considered under other brassicas include radishes, turnips, Brussels sprouts, and kale.
Other Roots & Bulbs The crops considered under other roots & bulbs include Sweet Potatoes and cassava.
Other Cucurbits The crops considered under other cucurbits include gourds (bottle gourd, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, Snake gourd, and others).
Other Grains & Cereals The crops considered under other grains & cereals include Barley, Buck Wheat, Canary Seed, Triticale, Oats, Millets, and Rye.
Other Fibre Crops The crops considered under other fibers include Hemp, Jute, Agave fibers, Flax, Kenaf, Ramie, Abaca, Sisal, and Kapok.
Other Oilseeds The crops considered under other oilseeds include Ground nut, Hempseed, Mustard seed, Castor seeds, safflower seeds, Sesame seeds, and Linseeds.
Other Forage Crops The crops considered under other forages include Napier grass, Oat grass, White clover, Ryegrass, and Timothy. Other forage crops were considered based on the locality of the respective countries.
Pulses Pigeon peas, Lentils, Broad and horse beans, Vetches, Chickpeas, Cowpeas, Lupins, and Bambara beans are the crops considered under pulses.
Other Unclassified Vegetables The crops considered under other unclassified vegetables include Artichokes, Cassava Leaves, Leeks, Chicory, and String beans.
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Research Methodology

Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.

  • Step-1: IDENTIFY KEY VARIABLES: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step-1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set and the model is built on the basis of these variables.
  • Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the forecast years are in nominal terms. Inflation is not a part of the pricing, and the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period.
  • Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.
  • Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases, and Subscription Platforms
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