Market Size of north america alfalfa seed Industry
| Icons | Lable | Value |
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Study Period | 2017 - 2030 |
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Market Size (2024) | USD 317.7 Million |
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Market Size (2030) | USD 414.7 Million |
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Largest Share by Breeding Technology | Hybrids |
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CAGR (2024 - 2030) | 4.54 % |
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Largest Share by Country | Canada |
Major Players |
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*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
North America Alfalfa Seed Market Analysis
The North America Alfalfa Seed Market size is estimated at 317.7 million USD in 2024, and is expected to reach 414.7 million USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.54% during the forecast period (2024-2030).
317.7 Million
Market Size in 2024 (USD)
414.7 Million
Market Size in 2030 (USD)
4.63 %
CAGR (2017-2023)
4.54 %
CAGR (2024-2030)
Largest Market by Breeding Technology
70.33 %
value share, Hybrids, 2023
There is an increase in the demand for alfalfa by livestock farmers due to the development of new innovative GMO seeds and approval for commercial cultivation in the region.
Largest Market by Country
68.30 %
value share, Canada, 2023
It is the largest alfalfa grower due to government support in monitoring technology-based production and helping growers increase crop cultivation.
Fastest-growing Market by Breeding Technology
5.09 %
Projected CAGR, Hybrids, 2024-2030
The major companies are developing new hybrids, and the adoption of hybrids is high due to traits like disease resistance, increased shelf life, high yield, and wider adaptability.
Fastest-growing Market by Country
6.16 %
Projected CAGR, United States, 2024-2030
An increase in the awareness among farmers of the harvest cycle and an increase in demand from cattle herds in the country due to higher protein content helped in the growth.
Leading Market Player
19.39 %
market share, Bayer AG, 2022
It is largely focused on production innovations and partnerships. The company has a wide range of catalogs that offer transgenic alfalfa varieties under a roundup-ready trade name.
The application of alfalfa in diverse industries and the ability to cultivate it as a rotational crop are driving the market
- In North America, alfalfa accounted for 15.7% of the forage seed market in 2022. The alfalfa seed market grew by 18.8% during the historical period as the majority of cattlemen wanted to have digestible feed, thus driving the demand for alfalfa seeds.
- The overall acreage under alfalfa cultivation in North America was 11.5 million ha in 2022, which has increased by 3% since 2017 due to the availability of different cultivars and increased demand from animal feed and meat industries.
- The United States is the largest user of hybrid seeds in North America due to the increased demand and availability of disease- and insect-resistant hybrids. The ability to grow alfalfa as a rotational crop to restore the lost vigor and sustain nitrogen required for the next crop has driven the farmers to adopt hybrids.
- Other traits like wider adaptability and drought tolerance were also largely popular in the region, accounting for 75.7% of the North American transgenic alfalfa seed market in 2022. For instance, Bayer AG and KWS Saat were the major companies that came up with transgenic alfalfa seeds that had these traits in the region.
- However, Canada was the largest country using open-pollinated varieties in 2022, accounting for 94.4% of the OPV alfalfa seed market in North America. The market is estimated to decline due to the increased availability of hybrids with more protein content that are highly suitable for the production of enzymes and biofuel.
- Therefore, factors such as the increased demand for protein feed from cattlemen, the rising preference for transgenic alfalfa hybrids, and the ability to grow alfalfa as a rotational crop are anticipated to drive the North American commercial alfalfa seed market, with a CAGR of 4.6%, during the forecast period.
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Canada dominates the alfalfa seed market due to an increase in cultivation area and favorable government policies
- North America is the largest alfalfa seed market in the world, accounting for USD 290.1 million in 2022, which grew by 18.7% compared to 2017. This growth can be due to the high production, favorable weather conditions, and increased demand by dairy farmers and livestock industries.
- Canada has a high demand for alfalfa seeds in the region because of an increase in the demand for alfalfa as feed, increased cultivation area, and an increase in profit margins. In the country, the alfalfa supply accounts for approximately 60% of the diet of beef cattle and 40% of the diet of dairy cattle, which is expected to increase the demand for alfalfa seeds.
- In 2022, the Canadian government invested about USD 2.6 million to help the alfalfa growers association be equipped with advanced technologies and generate higher yields. Therefore, production is expected to increase, along with the demand for seeds for alfalfa, during the forecast period.
- The United States is one of the major exporters of alfalfa hay. In 2022, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Algeria, Argentina, Libya, Peru, and Canada were the top five export destinations for alfalfa, which imported USD 55.5 million worth of alfalfa.
- Due to its crude protein content, the use of alfalfa hay is considered beneficial, particularly for cattle feed. Cattle production is the most important agricultural sector in the United States. Therefore, the demand for alfalfa seeds is expected to increase during the forecast period.
- Factors such as an increase in the demand for cattle feed, favorable weather conditions, and growing exports of alfalfa to other countries are estimated to drive the market in the region during the forecast period, with a CAGR of 4.5%.
