Soybean Seed Market Size and Share

Soybean Seed Market (2025 - 2030)

Soybean Seed Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The soybean seed market size reached USD 11.07 billion in 2025 and is forecast to expand to USD 15.05 billion by 2030, advancing at a 6.35% CAGR. This performance rests on three structural forces: rapid diffusion of drought-tolerant genetics, expanding protein demand from aquaculture, and wider access to premium traits as foundational patents lapse. Growers also benefit from digital tools that quantify on-farm returns, prompting faster hybrid turnover and deeper trait stacking. Meanwhile, carbon-credit incentives reward varieties that lower greenhouse-gas footprints, strengthening price realization in premium channels. Together, these drivers keep the soybean seed market resilient against weather variability, trade policy swings, and herbicide resistance episodes because breeders can pivot trait portfolios and route volumes toward the most profitable end markets.

Key Report Takeaways

  • By breeding technology, hybrids held 87.3% of the soybean seed market share in 2024, and transgenic hybrids registered the highest projected CAGR of 6.6% for 2025-2030.
  • By geography, North America led with a 43.4% revenue share in 2024, while Europe posted the fastest CAGR at 7.5% through 2030.

Segment Analysis

By Breeding Technology: Hybrids Drive Premium Trait Adoption

The 87.3% market share held by hybrids in 2024 reflects their superior yield consistency and trait integration compared to open-pollinated alternatives, with transgenic hybrids representing the fastest-growing subsegment at 6.6% CAGR through 2030. Hybrids continue expanding their dominance within the broader hybrid category, capturing increased market share as growers prioritize trait stacking capabilities that combine herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, and emerging drought tolerance in single varieties [3]Source: Corteva Agriscience, “Quarterly Earnings Reports,” INVESTORS.CORTEVA.COM . 

This substantial market presence is driven by the widespread adoption of both transgenic and non-transgenic hybrid soybean seed varieties. Transgenic hybrids, particularly those with herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant traits, account for the majority of hybrid seed sales, especially in major soybean-producing regions like North and South America. The segment's dominance is attributed to several advantages offered by hybrid seeds, including higher yield potential, enhanced disease resistance, improved drought tolerance, and better adaptability to diverse climatic conditions. Additionally, the increasing demand for protein-rich animal feed and rising consumption of soybean-based products in food industries has further strengthened the position of hybrid seeds in the market. 

Soybean Seed Market: Market Share by Breeding Technology

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

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Geography Analysis

North America holds 43.4% market share in 2024, stemming from its advanced agricultural infrastructure and early adoption of biotechnology innovations, with the United States leading global hybrid penetration rates exceeding 95% in major producing states. Canada's soybean acreage expansion into traditionally wheat-dominated regions creates growth opportunities, while Mexico's increasing protein consumption drives domestic production investments. Digital agriculture platforms achieve the highest adoption rates in North America, with over 40% of soybean acres utilizing variable-rate seeding and nutrient management systems that optimize hybrid performance. 

Europe emerges as the fastest-growing region with a 7.5% CAGR through 2030, driven by the European Union's protein strategy aimed at reducing import dependence and supporting sustainable agriculture transitions. The region's regulatory framework for new genomic techniques evolves favorably following extensive stakeholder consultations, potentially enabling advanced trait commercialization by 2027-2028. Non-genetically modified variety development receives substantial public and private investment, positioning European breeding programs as global leaders in conventional genetics improvement.

Asia-Pacific's holds significant share reflects diverse market dynamics, with China's domestic production expansion contrasting against India's export-oriented growth strategy and Southeast Asian aquaculture demand. China's strategic emphasis on food security drives investments in domestic breeding capabilities and production infrastructure, while maintaining selective import policies that favor specific trait profiles and sustainability certifications. India's soybean seed market benefits from monsoon pattern improvements and government support for oilseed production, though yield gaps compared to global benchmarks indicate substantial improvement potential. Australia's production systems increasingly integrate climate-resilient varieties as drought frequency intensifies, creating demand for specialized genetics adapted to variable rainfall conditions.

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

The soybean seed market exhibits a moderately consolidated structure dominated by multinational agricultural conglomerates with extensive R&D capabilities and global distribution networks. Bayer AG, Corteva Agriscience, Syngenta Group, KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA, and Advanta Seeds - UPL are major players that leverage their technological expertise and financial resources to maintain market leadership through continuous innovation in hybrid and transgenic seed development. The market also features regional specialists who have carved out strong positions in specific geographical areas by offering locally adapted varieties and maintaining close relationships with farming communities.

The industry has witnessed strategic consolidation through mergers and acquisitions, primarily driven by the need to acquire new technologies, expand geographical reach, and strengthen product portfolios. While global players continue to dominate the market, local soybean seed companies maintain significance in specific regions due to their understanding of local growing conditions and established farmer relationships. High entry barriers further characterize the market structure due to significant R&D requirements, regulatory compliance needs, and the importance of established distribution networks.

Patent landscapes continue evolving as foundational herbicide tolerance patents expire, enabling new entrants to access basic transgenic technologies while established players develop next-generation trait platforms with extended intellectual property protection. Regulatory compliance capabilities become competitive differentiators, particularly regarding new genomic techniques approval processes that vary significantly across major markets, with companies possessing strong regulatory affairs expertise gaining advantages in trait commercialization timelines.

Soybean Seed Industry Leaders

  1. Bayer AG

  2. Corteva Agriscience

  3. Syngenta Group

  4. KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA

  5. Advanta Seeds - UPL

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

  • January 2024: Corteva announced it would launch 24 new Enlist E3 soybean varieties in the U.S. under its Brevant brand. The new varieties feature several agronomic improvements, including a wider range of maturities, enhanced disease resistance, and better performance characteristics.
  • March 2023: Corteva Agriscience and Bunge collaborated to develop amino acid-enhanced soybeans. Through this collaboration, Corteva is leveraging its expertise in germplasm, gene editing, and the discovery of its traits to develop soybean varieties with high protein content, optimized amino acid profiles, and lower levels of anti-nutritional factors.

Table of Contents for Soybean 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 Biotech-enabled yield gains in water-limited soils
    • 4.6.2 Growth in high-protein meal demand from aquaculture
    • 4.6.3 Glyphosate-tolerant trait patent expiries expand generic seed supply
    • 4.6.4 Carbon-credit premiums for low- GHG (greenhouse gas) soybean varieties
    • 4.6.5 On-farm (Return on Investment) ROI analytics platforms accelerating hybrid adoption
    • 4.6.6 Expansion of non-genetically modified identity-preserved export channels
  • 4.7 Market Restraints
    • 4.7.1 Increasing weed resistance to key herbicides
    • 4.7.2 Trade-policy volatility on China soybean imports
    • 4.7.3 Stringent European Union regulations on new genomic techniques
    • 4.7.4 Limited cold-tolerance genetics for northern expansion

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 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 (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 Bayer AG
    • 6.4.2 Corteva Agriscience
    • 6.4.3 Syngenta Group
    • 6.4.4 KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA
    • 6.4.5 Advanta Seeds - UPL
    • 6.4.6 BASF SE
    • 6.4.7 Grupo GDM S.A.
    • 6.4.8 Stine Seed Company
    • 6.4.9 Nufarm Limited
    • 6.4.10 Burrus Seed Farm Inc.
    • 6.4.11 Euralis Semences (Lidea SAS)
    • 6.4.12 Zhejiang Provincial Seed Group Co., Ltd.
    • 6.4.13 Mahyco Private Limited
    • 6.4.14 Zambia Seed Company Limited
    • 6.4.15 RAGT Semences SAS

7. KEY STRATEGIC QUESTIONS FOR SEEDS CEOS

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Global Soybean 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 Non-Transgenic Hybrids
Transgenic Hybrids Herbicide Tolerant Hybrids
Insect Resistant Hybrids
Other Traits
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 Non-Transgenic Hybrids
Transgenic Hybrids Herbicide Tolerant Hybrids
Insect Resistant Hybrids
Other Traits
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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