Forage Seed Market Size and Share

Forage Seed Market Summary

Forage Seed Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The forage seed market size reached USD 4.94 billion in 2025 and is projected to advance at a 3.92% CAGR, reaching USD 5.99 billion by 2030. Demand stems from expanding global protein consumption that pushes livestock operations to intensify production while maintaining feed quality. Higher adoption of regenerative agriculture further supports the forage seed market as perennial crops improve soil structure and open new carbon-credit revenue streams. Hybrid breeding gains traction because producers prioritize consistent yields, disease resistance, and drought tolerance. Digital agronomy platforms optimize seed placement, reducing waste and boosting stand uniformity. Regional growth remains uneven, with North America leading and the Middle East logging the fastest CAGR as food-security investments accelerate.

Key Report Takeaways

  • By breeding technology, hybrids led with a 73.1% forage seed market share in 2024. Open-pollinated varieties and hybrid derivatives posted the highest projected at 4.23% CAGR through 2030.
  • By crop type, other forage crops captured 51.9% of the forage seed market size in 2024. Forage sorghum is set to grow at the fastest 4.31% CAGR through 2030.
  • By geography, North America held 42.3% of the forage seed market in 2024, while the Middle East is projected to expand at a 6.00% CAGR to 2030.

Segment Analysis

By Breeding Technology: Hybrids Drive Transformation

Hybrids led with a 73.1% forage seed market share in 2024. Open-pollinated varieties and hybrid derivatives posted the highest projected at 4.23% CAGR through 2030. Transgenic hybrids with herbicide tolerance gain momentum in the United States and Brazil, while non-transgenic hybrids dominate in regions with strict GM policies. Continuous R&D investment brings forward improved digestibility and broader environmental adaptability, supporting steady volume growth. Cost-sensitive growers in South Asia favor these seeds, often saving part of the crop for replanting without heavy yield penalties, a practice that sustains the forage seed market size among emerging economies. Conservation programs in multiple countries specify open-pollinated varieties, creating niche but reliable channels that buffer the wider market from volatility.

Second-generation hybrids that integrate drought tolerance and extended grazing windows hold promise for subtropical zones. Seed firms emphasize localized field trials, fostering trust among buyers who need proof of performance under specific soil and climate conditions. As digital agronomy tools advance, hybrid placement can be fine-tuned at sub-acre resolution, raising establishment success and reinforcing the value proposition. The hybrid segment’s strong intellectual property protection also enables sustained R&D funding, ensuring a steady pipeline of traits that fortify the forage seed market against climatic and economic headwinds. In parallel, policy frameworks that expedite trait approval while safeguarding biodiversity will shape adoption speed across geographies.

Forage Seed Market: Market Share by Breeding Technology

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By Crop Type: Diversification Leads Market Evolution

Other forage crops held 51.9% of the forage seed market share in 2024, reflecting producer preference for species mix strategies that balance nutrition, soil health, and seasonal forage gaps. Ryegrass, timothy, and clover dominate cool-season pastures, delivering fast regrowth and nitrogen fixation that lowers fertilizer costs. Expansion of pollinator-friendly farming further boosts demand for diverse legumes, building new value chains around ecosystem services payments. Alfalfa remains the premium protein source for intensive dairy systems, but rising fertilizer prices drive renewed interest in mixed stands where legumes offset synthetic inputs. These trends secure a broad base that stabilizes the forage seed market size even when individual crop cycles fluctuate.

Forage sorghum records the fastest 4.31% CAGR, aided by its unparalleled drought resilience and suitability for integrated energy and livestock systems. Breeders focus on brown mid-rib traits that enhance digestibility, unlocking higher feed efficiency. Forage corn remains a mainstay in silage programs, yet water constraints and crop-rotation mandates push some producers toward sorghum. Native grass restoration initiatives in North America create incremental demand for species like switchgrass, particularly where government cost-share programs subsidize establishment. Combined, these dynamics illustrate a sector where crop-type diversification spreads risk and fosters innovation, keeping the forage seed market on a stable upward course.

Forage Seed Market: Market Share by Crop Type

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Geography Analysis

North America accounted for 42.3% of the forage seed market in 2024, supported by large cattle herds and robust dairy clusters that value high-quality feed. Extensive extension networks accelerate the adoption of hybrids engineered for local soils, while precision seeding equipment achieves efficient stand density. Canada’s Prairie provinces emphasize cold-tolerant varieties, and Mexico’s northern states favor drought-adapted species. These tailored approaches ensure regional demand remains diversified and resilient.

Europe shows steady growth as the Common Agricultural Policy reforms mandate ecological focus areas that employ forage cover crops for compliance. Germany and France lead purchasing, driven by intensive dairy operations that reward high-protein grasses. Eastern European economies accelerate modernization, directing funds toward improved seed to raise livestock productivity and align with EU environmental standards. The European Green Deal further encourages carbon-sequestering pastures, extending upside for the forage seed market.

The Middle East posts the fastest 6.00% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. Government-backed food-security initiatives, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, allocate capital to state-of-the-art livestock facilities that depend on drought-tolerant forages. Efficient irrigation systems and protected cultivation techniques maximize output per drop of water, underpinning growing volumes despite arid conditions. Asia-Pacific presents mixed patterns: Australia accelerates adoption of transgenic hybrids, while Southeast Asia lags due to regulatory hurdles. Africa offers long-term potential, but informal seed channels and quality issues limit short-term expansion despite favorable agronomic conditions.

Forage Seed Market CAGR (%), Growth Rate by Region
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Competitive Landscape

The forage seed market is low-concentrated. Bayer AG and Corteva Inc. lead in transgenic trait portfolios, leveraging Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) editing and expansive regulatory teams to secure approvals. Their recent R&D outlays signal focus on drought and herbicide tolerance, traits that maintain relevance across major production zones. DLF A/S and Royal Barenbrug Group specialize in conventional breeding, deploying decade-old multilocation trials that yield locally adapted varieties. 

Strategic partnerships are reshaping competition; seed companies integrate with digital agriculture platforms to offer end-to-end solutions that bundle genetics with data-driven crop management. Regional specialists carve defensible positions by tailoring varieties to niche conditions and offering technical support in local languages. S&W Seed Company targets arid environments with salt-tolerant lines, while Germinal Holdings Ltd. caters to high-latitude grass markets demanding winter survivability. 

Vertical integration from breeding through retail allows faster feedback loops and continuous improvement. Smaller biotech firms supply trait innovations that larger players license, fostering a collaborative ecosystem that accelerates genetic gain without disproportionate R&D risk. Intellectual property enforcement remains pivotal, ensuring a positive return on trait development investments that power the forage seed market forward.

Forage Seed Industry Leaders

  1. Bayer AG

  2. Land O’Lakes Inc.

  3. Royal Barenbrug Group

  4. DLF A/S

  5. Corteva Inc.

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

  • March 2023: PGG Wrightson Seeds, a subsidiary of DLF, successfully developed the new GT07 phalaris variety. This variety exhibits greater persistence and market potential, particularly under Australia's changing climate conditions.
  • March 2023: The Royal Barenbrug Group announced the acquisition of Watson Group, an independent seed specialist and and agricultural seed wholesaler.

Table of Contents for Forage 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
  • 4.2 Most Popular Traits
    • 4.2.1 Alfalfa and Forage Corn
  • 4.3 Breeding Techniques
    • 4.3.1 Row Crops
  • 4.4 Regulatory Framework
  • 4.5 Value Chain and Distribution Channel Analysis
  • 4.6 Market Drivers
    • 4.6.1 Rising livestock protein demand and dairy intensification
    • 4.6.2 Mandatory green-cover crop regulations in Europe and enhancing U.S. CRP incentives
    • 4.6.3 Rapid adoption of drought-tolerant transgenic hybrids in water-stressed regions
    • 4.6.4 Government push for regenerative grazing and carbon-credit programs
    • 4.6.5 Growing use of forage sorghum in bio-ethanol co-feed markets
    • 4.6.6 Digital agronomy platforms boosting seed placement accuracy
  • 4.7 Market Restraints
    • 4.7.1 Farmer skepticism about GM feed crops in Asia-Pacific
    • 4.7.2 Volatile commodity prices squeezing growers seed budgets
    • 4.7.3 Lagging cold-tolerance traits for high-latitude markets
    • 4.7.4 Fragmented informal seed channels undermining quality in Africa

5. MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECAST (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
    • 5.1.1.3 Other Traits
    • 5.1.2 Open Pollinated Varieties and Hybrid Derivatives
  • 5.2 Crop Type
    • 5.2.1 Alfalfa
    • 5.2.2 Forage Corn
    • 5.2.3 Forage Sorghum
    • 5.2.4 Other Forage Crops
  • 5.3 Geography
    • 5.3.1 Africa
    • 5.3.1.1 By Breeding Technology
    • 5.3.1.2 By Country
    • 5.3.1.2.1 Egypt
    • 5.3.1.2.2 Ethiopia
    • 5.3.1.2.3 Ghana
    • 5.3.1.2.4 Kenya
    • 5.3.1.2.5 Nigeria
    • 5.3.1.2.6 South Africa
    • 5.3.1.2.7 Tanzania
    • 5.3.1.2.8 Rest of Africa
    • 5.3.2 Asia-Pacific
    • 5.3.2.1 By Breeding Technology
    • 5.3.2.2 By Country
    • 5.3.2.2.1 Australia
    • 5.3.2.2.2 Bangladesh
    • 5.3.2.2.3 China
    • 5.3.2.2.4 India
    • 5.3.2.2.5 Indonesia
    • 5.3.2.2.6 Japan
    • 5.3.2.2.7 Myanmar
    • 5.3.2.2.8 Pakistan
    • 5.3.2.2.9 Philippines
    • 5.3.2.2.10 Thailand
    • 5.3.2.2.11 Vietnam
    • 5.3.2.2.12 Rest of Asia-Pacific
    • 5.3.3 Europe
    • 5.3.3.1 By Breeding Technology
    • 5.3.3.2 By Country
    • 5.3.3.2.1 France
    • 5.3.3.2.2 Germany
    • 5.3.3.2.3 Italy
    • 5.3.3.2.4 Netherlands
    • 5.3.3.2.5 Poland
    • 5.3.3.2.6 Romania
    • 5.3.3.2.7 Russia
    • 5.3.3.2.8 Spain
    • 5.3.3.2.9 Turkey
    • 5.3.3.2.10 Ukraine
    • 5.3.3.2.11 United Kingdom
    • 5.3.3.2.12 Rest of Europe
    • 5.3.4 Middle East
    • 5.3.4.1 By Breeding Technology
    • 5.3.4.2 By Country
    • 5.3.4.2.1 Iran
    • 5.3.4.2.2 Saudi Arabia
    • 5.3.4.2.3 Rest of Middle East
    • 5.3.5 North America
    • 5.3.5.1 By Breeding Technology
    • 5.3.5.2 By Country
    • 5.3.5.2.1 Canada
    • 5.3.5.2.2 Mexico
    • 5.3.5.2.3 United States
    • 5.3.5.2.4 Rest of North America
    • 5.3.6 South America
    • 5.3.6.1 By Breeding Technology
    • 5.3.6.2 By Country
    • 5.3.6.2.1 Argentina
    • 5.3.6.2.2 Brazil
    • 5.3.6.2.3 Rest of South America

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 Business Segments, Financials, Headcount, Key Information, Market Rank, Market Share, Products and Services, and Analysis of Recent Developments)
    • 6.4.1 Advanta Seeds - UPL
    • 6.4.2 Ampac Seed Company
    • 6.4.3 Bayer AG
    • 6.4.4 Corteva Inc.
    • 6.4.5 DLF A/S
    • 6.4.6 KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA
    • 6.4.7 Land O'Lakes Inc.
    • 6.4.8 RAGT Group
    • 6.4.9 Royal Barenbrug Group
    • 6.4.10 S&W Seed Co.
    • 6.4.11 Sakata Seed Corporation
    • 6.4.12 Nuseed (Nufarm Limited)
    • 6.4.13 Stine Seed Company
    • 6.4.14 Deutsche Saatveredelung AG
    • 6.4.15 Germinal Holdings Ltd.

7. KEY STRATEGIC QUESTIONS FOR SEED CEOS

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Global Forage Seed Market Report Scope

Hybrids, Open Pollinated Varieties & Hybrid Derivatives are covered as segments by Breeding Technology. Alfalfa, Forage Corn, Forage Sorghum are covered as segments by Crop. Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America are covered as segments by Region.
Breeding Technology
Hybrids Non-Transgenic Hybrids
Transgenic Hybrids Herbicide Tolerant Hybrids
Other Traits
Open Pollinated Varieties and Hybrid Derivatives
Crop Type
Alfalfa
Forage Corn
Forage Sorghum
Other Forage Crops
Geography
Africa By Breeding Technology
By Country Egypt
Ethiopia
Ghana
Kenya
Nigeria
South Africa
Tanzania
Rest of Africa
Asia-Pacific By Breeding Technology
Australia
Bangladesh
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Myanmar
Pakistan
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Rest of Asia-Pacific
Europe By Breeding Technology
France
Germany
Italy
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Russia
Spain
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Rest of Europe
Middle East By Breeding Technology
Iran
Saudi Arabia
Rest of Middle East
North America By Breeding Technology
Canada
Mexico
United States
Rest of North America
South America By Breeding Technology
Argentina
Brazil
Rest of South America
Breeding Technology Hybrids Non-Transgenic Hybrids
Transgenic Hybrids Herbicide Tolerant Hybrids
Other Traits
Open Pollinated Varieties and Hybrid Derivatives
Crop Type Alfalfa
Forage Corn
Forage Sorghum
Other Forage Crops
Geography Africa By Breeding Technology
By Country Egypt
Ethiopia
Ghana
Kenya
Nigeria
South Africa
Tanzania
Rest of Africa
Asia-Pacific By Breeding Technology
Australia
Bangladesh
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Myanmar
Pakistan
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Rest of Asia-Pacific
Europe By Breeding Technology
France
Germany
Italy
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Russia
Spain
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Rest of Europe
Middle East By Breeding Technology
Iran
Saudi Arabia
Rest of Middle East
North America By Breeding Technology
Canada
Mexico
United States
Rest of North America
South America By Breeding Technology
Argentina
Brazil
Rest of South America
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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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