Onion Seed Market Size and Share

Onion Seed Market (2025 - 2030)

Onion Seed Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The onion seed market size stands at USD 0.49 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 0.63 billion in 2030, advancing at a 4.81% CAGR during the period. Steady hybrid-seed penetration, protected-cultivation expansion, and policy-led subsidy programs underpin demand momentum. Multinational seed producers deploy doubled-haploid platforms that shorten breeding cycles, while regional companies leverage localized germplasm to serve climate-specific niches. Commercial growers gravitate toward uniform bulbs that enable mechanized harvesting and cold-chain integration, boosting premium-seed uptake. Meanwhile, rising awareness of climate-resilient cultivars fuels adoption across drought-prone regions. E-commerce channels and digitally certified seed systems further widen market access by lowering distribution costs and ensuring provenance integrity.

Key Report Takeaways

  • By breeding technology, hybrid seeds led with 85.7% revenue share in 2024, open-pollinated varieties and hybrid derivatives are projected to expand at a 5.1% CAGR between 2025 and 2030. 
  • By geography, Asia-Pacific commanded 28.4% of global revenue in 2024, and the Middle East is set to post a 7.4% CAGR through 2030.

Segment Analysis

By Breeding Technology: Hybrids Drive Premium Market Expansion

Hybrid seeds captured 85.7% market share in 2024, reflecting commercial growers' preference for varieties that deliver consistent bulb characteristics and enhanced storage life compared to traditional alternatives. The dominance stems from cytoplasmic male sterility breeding systems that enable large-scale F1 hybrid production with predictable combining ability and heterosis expression. The segment dynamics reflect broader agricultural trends toward mechanization and post-harvest standardization that favor uniform hybrid varieties. Doubled-haploid breeding platforms accelerate hybrid development timelines, enabling seed companies to introduce varieties with enhanced disease resistance and climate adaptation more rapidly than conventional breeding approaches.

Open-pollinated varieties and hybrid derivatives represent the fastest-growing segment at 5.1% CAGR during 2025-2030, driven by organic farming expansion and smallholder farmers seeking lower-cost alternatives with acceptable performance characteristics. Open-pollinated varieties maintain relevance in subsistence farming systems and organic production where seed saving practices reduce input costs, though their market share continues declining as hybrid economics improve through scale and technology advancement.

Onion Seed Market: Market Share by Breeding Technology

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

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Geography Analysis

Asia-Pacific leads the onion seed market with 28.4% share in 2024, propelled by extensive cultivation areas in India and China where government policies actively promote hybrid seed adoption through subsidy programs and technical extension services. The region demonstrates the fastest adoption of protected cultivation technologies, with net-house and poly-house infrastructure expanding at double-digit growth rates that create sustained demand for premium seed varieties optimized for controlled environments. India's target to increase kharif onion acreage by 27% in 2024 exemplifies the policy support driving market expansion, while China's focus on food security and agricultural modernization sustains investment in improved varieties and production systems.

The Middle East emerges as the fastest-growing regional market at 7.4% CAGR during 2025-2030, driven by food security initiatives and substantial investment in climate-controlled growing systems that demand specialized seed varieties. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 agricultural diversification strategy includes onion production targets that require advanced seed technologies capable of performing under extreme climatic conditions. Iran's position as a major onion producer creates substantial seed demand, though geopolitical factors and trade restrictions can create supply chain complexities for international seed companies seeking market access.

North America and Europe represent mature markets characterized by high hybrid penetration rates and emphasis on varieties optimized for mechanized production and extended storage. These regions prioritize disease resistance and quality traits over yield maximization, creating opportunities for premium seed varieties that command higher prices but serve smaller market volumes. The regulatory frameworks in these markets, including OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) seed certification schemes and ISTA (International Safe Transit Association) testing standards, create barriers to entry but also protect established market participants from low-quality competition[3]Source: OECD, “Updated Seed Certification Schemes,” oecd.org.

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

The onion seed market exhibits a relatively consolidated structure dominated by multinational agricultural corporations with diverse seed portfolios. These major players leverage their extensive research capabilities, established distribution networks, and strong brand recognition to maintain market leadership. While global conglomerates control a significant portion of the market through their superior technological capabilities and financial resources, regional specialists maintain their presence through deep local market knowledge and established farmer relationships. The market has witnessed limited merger and acquisition activity, with companies instead focusing on organic growth through product development and geographical expansion.

The competitive dynamics vary significantly across regions, with developed markets showing a higher concentration of multinational players, while emerging markets maintain a mix of global and local players. Local seed companies often operate as distributors or licensees for global players, creating a complex network of partnerships and alliances. The barrier to entry remains high due to substantial investments required in research and development, regulatory compliance, and the establishment of distribution networks, which further reinforces the position of existing major players in the market.

Success in the onion seed market increasingly depends on companies' ability to develop innovative varieties that address specific regional requirements while maintaining consistent quality. Incumbent players must continue investing in research and development to create varieties with improved traits, particularly focusing on disease resistance and climate resilience. Establishing strong relationships with farmers through demonstration programs, technical support, and education initiatives has become crucial for maintaining market share. Companies must also adapt their product portfolios to address the growing demand for organic varieties and sustainable farming practices.

Onion Seed Industry Leaders

  1. Bayer AG

  2. BASF SE

  3. Groupe Limagrain

  4. Sakata Seeds Corporation

  5. Bejo Zaden B.V.

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

  • March 2024: Syngenta Group and Emerald Seed Company announced an exclusive global licensing agreement expanding Syngenta's onion genetics portfolio with Emerald's proprietary germplasm and breeding lines. The partnership provides Syngenta access to specialized short-day and intermediate-day onion varieties optimized for diverse growing conditions, strengthening the company's position in key production regions, including the southern United States and South America.
  • February 2022: BASF’s vegetable seeds business developed a tearless onion variety, which has been launched at supermarkets in France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The yellow onion variety constitutes a breakthrough in vegetable innovation and is a real game-changer , as the first tearless onion available to the market.

Table of Contents for Onion Seed Industry Report

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND KEY FINDINGS

2. REPORT OFFERS

3. INTRODUCTION

  • 3.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 3.2 Scope of the Study
  • 3.3 Research Methodology

4. KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS

  • 4.1 Area Under Cultivation
  • 4.2 Most Popular Traits
  • 4.3 Breeding Techniques
  • 4.4 Regulatory Framework
  • 4.5 Value Chain and Distribution Channel Analysis
  • 4.6 Market Drivers
    • 4.6.1 Surge in hybrid-seed adoption for higher uniform yields
    • 4.6.2 Rapid expansion of protected cultivation acreage
    • 4.6.3 Government seed-subsidy programs in Asia-Pacific and Africa
    • 4.6.4 Rising demand for climate-resilient onion cultivars
    • 4.6.5 Commercialization of doubled-haploid breeding platforms
    • 4.6.6 Digitally enabled B2B seed-ordering marketplaces
  • 4.7 Market Restraints
    • 4.7.1 Low hybrid-seed yields due to pollinator decline
    • 4.7.2 High R&D cost of CMS restorer line development
    • 4.7.3 Counterfeit / brown-bag seed circulation in emerging markets
    • 4.7.4 Stringent varietal-registration rules slowing launches

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

  • 5.1 Breeding Technology
    • 5.1.1 Hybrids
    • 5.1.2 Open Pollinated Varieties and Hybrid Derivatives
  • 5.2 Geography
    • 5.2.1 Africa
    • 5.2.1.1 By Breeding Technology
    • 5.2.1.2 By Country
    • 5.2.1.2.1 Egypt
    • 5.2.1.2.2 Ethiopia
    • 5.2.1.2.3 Ghana
    • 5.2.1.2.4 Kenya
    • 5.2.1.2.5 Nigeria
    • 5.2.1.2.6 South Africa
    • 5.2.1.2.7 Tanzania
    • 5.2.1.2.8 Rest of Africa
    • 5.2.2 Asia-Pacific
    • 5.2.2.1 By Breeding Technology
    • 5.2.2.2 By Country
    • 5.2.2.2.1 Australia
    • 5.2.2.2.2 Bangladesh
    • 5.2.2.2.3 China
    • 5.2.2.2.4 India
    • 5.2.2.2.5 Indonesia
    • 5.2.2.2.6 Japan
    • 5.2.2.2.7 Myanmar
    • 5.2.2.2.8 Philippines
    • 5.2.2.2.9 Thailand
    • 5.2.2.2.10 Vietnam
    • 5.2.2.2.11 Rest of Asia-Pacific
    • 5.2.3 Europe
    • 5.2.3.1 By Breeding Technology
    • 5.2.3.2 By Country
    • 5.2.3.2.1 France
    • 5.2.3.2.2 Germany
    • 5.2.3.2.3 Italy
    • 5.2.3.2.4 Netherlands
    • 5.2.3.2.5 Poland
    • 5.2.3.2.6 Romania
    • 5.2.3.2.7 Russia
    • 5.2.3.2.8 Spain
    • 5.2.3.2.9 Turkey
    • 5.2.3.2.10 Ukraine
    • 5.2.3.2.11 United Kingdom
    • 5.2.3.2.12 Rest of Europe
    • 5.2.4 Middle East
    • 5.2.4.1 By Breeding Technology
    • 5.2.4.2 By Country
    • 5.2.4.2.1 Iran
    • 5.2.4.2.2 Rest of Middle East
    • 5.2.5 North America
    • 5.2.5.1 By Breeding Technology
    • 5.2.5.2 By Country
    • 5.2.5.2.1 Canada
    • 5.2.5.2.2 Mexico
    • 5.2.5.2.3 United States
    • 5.2.5.2.4 Rest of North America
    • 5.2.6 South America
    • 5.2.6.1 By Breeding Technology
    • 5.2.6.2 By Country
    • 5.2.6.2.1 Argentina
    • 5.2.6.2.2 Brazil
    • 5.2.6.2.3 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
    • 6.4.1 Bayer AG
    • 6.4.2 BASF SE
    • 6.4.3 Groupe Limagrain
    • 6.4.4 Sakata Seeds Corporation
    • 6.4.5 Bejo Zaden B.V.
    • 6.4.6 Syngenta AG
    • 6.4.7 Enza Zaden Beheer B.V.
    • 6.4.8 Rijk Zwaan Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel B.V.
    • 6.4.9 Takii and Co., Ltd.
    • 6.4.10 East-West Seed International B.V.
    • 6.4.11 UPL Limited
    • 6.4.12 Nong Woo Bio Co., Ltd.
    • 6.4.13 KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA
    • 6.4.14 Yuan Longping High-Tech Agriculture Co., Ltd.
    • 6.4.15 Namdhari Seeds Pvt. Ltd
  • *List Not Exhaustive

7. KEY STRATEGIC QUESTIONS FOR SEEDS CEOS

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Global Onion Seed Market Report Scope

Hybrids, Open Pollinated Varieties & Hybrid Derivatives are covered as segments by Breeding Technology. Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America are covered as segments by Region.
Breeding Technology
Hybrids
Open Pollinated Varieties and Hybrid Derivatives
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
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
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
Open Pollinated Varieties and Hybrid Derivatives
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
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
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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