Southeast Asia Seed Market Size and Share

Southeast Asia Seed Market (2025 - 2030)
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Southeast Asia Seed Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The Southeast Asia seed market size is valued at USD 3.39 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 4.19 billion by 2030, reflecting a 4.28% CAGR during the period. Demand scales upward as governments link food security targets with climate-ready agriculture programs, while harmonized ASEAN seed rules lower cross-border compliance costs and widen access to improved genetics. Technology transfers from multinationals and local breeding alliances deliver varieties that outperform farm-saved seed in yield, vigor, and stress tolerance. Hybrid penetration rises fastest in rice and corn, but horticulture crops add a profitable layer as urban diets shift toward diverse fresh produce. Investments in protected cultivation, hydroponics, and venture-funded ag-biotech startups accelerate the transformation of fragmented value chains into organized input channels that move seed from labs to smallholder fields in shorter cycles.

Key Report Takeaways

  • By breeding technology, open-pollinated varieties and hybrid derivatives held a 54.4% share of the Southeast Asia seed market in 2024, whereas hybrids are expanding at a 4.91% CAGR through 2030.
  • By cultivation mechanism, open-field production accounted for 99.9% of the Southeast Asia seed market share in 2024; protected cultivation is projected to grow at a 9.08% CAGR to 2030.
  • By crop type, row crops represented 83.6% of the Southeast Asia seed market size in 2024, while vegetables exhibit the strongest outlook with a 4.84% CAGR up to 2030.
  • By country, Indonesia led with a 25.6% share of the Southeast Asia seed market in 2024; Vietnam is projected to post the fastest growth at a 4.73% CAGR through 2030.
  • Competition in the Southeast Asia seed market is low, with global leaders such as Syngenta Group, Bayer AG, Known You Seed Co. Ltd., and Groupe Limagrain sharing space with regionally rooted firms like Charoen Pokphand Group. 

Segment Analysis

By Breeding Technology: Hybrids Drive Premium Transformation

Open-pollinated varieties and hybrid derivatives held a 54.4% share of the Southeast Asia seed market in 2024, whereas hybrids are expanding at a 4.91% CAGR through 2030. Hybrids are widening their footprint, propelling the Southeast Asia seed market toward higher input but higher output models. Non-transgenic hybrids in rice and corn dominate volume growth, backed by government demonstration plots and dealer-financed credit lines. Rising labor costs make yield per hectare critical, and hybrids outperform farm-saved seed by double-digit margins, especially on marginal soils. Local breeding stations refine parental lines to regional taste profiles, ensuring consumer acceptance. As more hybrids secure fast-track listing under ACTA, market entry speeds up, enhancing competitive dynamics.

Farmers weigh the premium price against projected yield lifts and risk mitigation from built-in pest resistance. Success stories spread quickly within tight rural networks, triggering adoption spikes. Companies that bundle advisory services with seed develop sticky relationships that translate into repeat purchases. Although transgenic hybrids remain niche, their acceptance in herbicide-intensive systems is growing, especially where farm labor shortages intensify. Over the forecast window, hybrid seeds are poised to capture incremental value, nudging the Southeast Asia seed market toward technology-heavy growth trajectories.

Southeast Asia Seed Market: Market Share by Breeding Technology

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By Cultivation Mechanism: Protected Systems Reshape Demand

While open-field farming accounted for an overwhelming 99.9% share in 2024, the protected segment is scaling from a low base at 9.08% CAGR and is projected to influence supply chains disproportionately to its acreage. Greenhouse and vertical-farm operators prioritize seeds that thrive in high-density layouts, have short cycles, and show uniform traits that enable automation. Innovation clusters in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City test hydroponic lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and Asian leafy greens under LED spectra to fine-tune cultivar performance.

Seed packs for protected cultivation command price premiums up to 3 times the open-field equivalent, yet growers accept the investment as harvest frequencies can triple in a year. Financial institutions increasingly recognize controlled environment agriculture as bankable, unlocking loans that include seed financing lines. Digital dashboards monitor real-time micro-climate and inform re-order schedules, integrating seed consumption into precise inventory plans. The rise of protected systems thus multiplies seed turnover rates, amplifying revenue opportunities in the Southeast Asia seed market.

By Crop Type: Vegetables Gain Ground Despite Row Crop Dominance

Row crops such as rice, corn, and soy maintain an 83.6% share of the Southeast Asia seed market size, driven by staple food roles and policy support. Government procurement floors for paddy and targeted fertilizer subsidies underpin planting decisions across tens of millions of hectares. Mechanization upgrades spur demand for uniform kernel size and stronger stalks in corn hybrids, adding value to the row crop seed segment. Structural dependence on commodity prices limits upside versus diversified horticulture earnings.

Vegetables, posting a 4.84% CAGR through 2030, capture rising disposable income and health-centric diets. Solanaceae hybrids lead, backed by urban supermarkets that impose tight quality specs. Cucurbits and brassicas follow, buoyed by restaurant chains seeking year-round supply. Specialty items such as colored bell peppers and seedless cucumbers fetch premium prices in regional export lanes, especially Singapore’s high-income consumer base. With micro-climatic agility and shorter crop cycles, vegetable farmers can rotate varieties multiple times annually, magnifying seed purchase frequency within the Southeast Asia seed market.

Southeast Asia Seed Market: Market Share by Crop Type

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

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Geography Analysis

Indonesia held a 25.6% share of the Southeast Asia seed market in 2024. The country leads the market due to its extensive arable land base of 47 million ha and robust subsidy mechanisms that cut seed acquisition costs by 40% for targeted farmers. Hybrid rice adoption reached a high in 2024, while hybrid corn covered a good share of total corn acreage. Public research institutes collaborate with private breeders to field-test stress-tolerant lines for drought-prone eastern islands, tightening yield variability and stabilizing farmer incomes. Thailand follows closely, leveraging established export channels, progressive greenhouse adoption, and a skilled extension workforce. Multinational companies cluster R&D and processing hubs near Bangkok, tapping into reliable logistics for ASEAN-wide distribution.

Vietnam is projected to post the fastest growth at a 4.73% CAGR through 2030. Vietnam's growth is driven by foreign investors' funding of seed processing plants and cold-chain upgrades. Horticulture exports of dragon fruit, pepper, and cut flowers trigger demand for specialized varieties with extended shelf life. Government incentives for ag-tech incubators in Ho Chi Minh City attract biotech ventures, adding an innovation layer that supplies traits tailored to Mekong Delta microclimates.

The Philippines and Myanmar represent high-potential but infrastructurally challenged markets. Manila’s Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund lifted certified seed usage in 2024, yet distribution inefficiencies persist across its archipelago. Myanmar improves after political stabilization, drawing joint ventures like Known You Seed’s stake acquisition to reach underserved rural pockets. Malaysia focuses on high-value urban farming, leveraging proximity to Singapore to justify greenhouse investments that rely on premium seed imports. 

Competitive Landscape

Competition in the Southeast Asia seed market is low, with global leaders such as Syngenta Group, Bayer AG, Known You Seed Co. Ltd., and Groupe Limagrain sharing space with regionally rooted firms like Charoen Pokphand Group. Multinationals deploy marker-assisted selection and genome-editing platforms to shorten breeding cycles, then localize traits through on-ground stations. 

Regional champions leverage deep distribution networks and intimate crop knowledge to match smallholder needs. East-West Seed’s facility upgrade in Thailand targets heat-tolerant vegetable lines for protected systems. Charoen Pokphand Group collaborates with universities on saline-resilient rice, bolstering coastal farmer resilience. Niche entrants explore organic and heirloom seeds for specialty restaurants, adding diversity to product shelves.

Digital agriculture partnerships surface as a new battlefield. Firms integrate satellite-driven advisory apps that trigger in-season recommendations tied to proprietary seed lines, embedding loyalty. Corporate VC arms stake minority positions in sensor and screening start-ups, securing early access to technologies that can differentiate future varieties. Overall, alliances that combine genetics, finance, and data analytics strengthen competitive moats inside the Southeast Asia seed market.

Southeast Asia Seed Industry Leaders

  1. Bayer AG

  2. Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group)

  3. Groupe Limagrain

  4. Known You Seed Co. LTD

  5. Syngenta Group

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

  • June 2025: East-West Seed Thailand introduced new high-yield pumpkin (Khao Tok Hi Plus) and tomato (Sigma F1) varieties to help Thai farmers overcome production challenges and improve yields.
  • August 2024: Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group pledged USD 1.5 billion to build a 10,000-hectare mega-farm in Luzon, slated to integrate advanced hybrid rice and full supply-chain logistics.
  • January 2024: East-West Seed (EWS) has enhanced its seed health testing capabilities through its ongoing partnership with the Thailand Department of Agriculture's Plant Quarantine Research Group. EWS received an extended scope of competence certification, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining high standards in seed health testing for phytosanitary certificate issuance.

Table of Contents for Southeast Asia Seed Industry Report

1. INTRODUCTION

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

2. REPORT OFFERS

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY & 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 Cabbage, Pumpkin & Squash
    • 4.2.2 Rice & Corn
    • 4.2.3 Tomato & Chilli
  • 4.3 Breeding Techniques
    • 4.3.1 Row Crops & Vegetables
  • 4.4 Regulatory Framework
  • 4.5 Value Chain & Distribution Channel Analysis
  • 4.6 Market Drivers
    • 4.6.1 Hybrid-adoption momentum
    • 4.6.2 Shift to high-value horticulture crops
    • 4.6.3 Government subsidies for certified seeds
    • 4.6.4 Rapid penetration of protected cultivation
    • 4.6.5 ASEAN harmonized seed regulations (ACTA)
    • 4.6.6 Corporate venture funding of SEA ag-biotech start-ups
  • 4.7 Market Restraints
    • 4.7.1 Stringent varietal registration timelines
    • 4.7.2 Counterfeit seed trade
    • 4.7.3 Climate-driven varietal obsolescence cycles
    • 4.7.4 Smallholder mistrust of GM traits

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
    • 5.1.1.2.2 Insect Resistant Hybrids
    • 5.1.1.2.3 Other Traits
    • 5.1.2 Open Pollinated Varieties & 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 & Cereals
    • 5.3.1.3.1 Sorghum
    • 5.3.1.3.2 Other Grains & Cereals
    • 5.3.1.4 Oilseeds
    • 5.3.1.4.1 Canola, Rapeseed & 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
    • 5.3.2 Vegetables
    • 5.3.2.1 Brassicas
    • 5.3.2.1.1 Cabbage
    • 5.3.2.1.2 Carrot
    • 5.3.2.1.3 Cauliflower & Broccoli
    • 5.3.2.1.4 Other Brassicas
    • 5.3.2.2 Cucurbits
    • 5.3.2.2.1 Cucumber & Gherkin
    • 5.3.2.2.2 Pumpkin & Squash
    • 5.3.2.2.3 Other Cucurbits
    • 5.3.2.3 Roots & 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 & 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 Country
    • 5.4.1 Indonesia
    • 5.4.2 Myanmar
    • 5.4.3 Philippines
    • 5.4.4 Thailand
    • 5.4.5 Vietnam
    • 5.4.6 Rest of SouthEast Asia

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 Syngenta Group
    • 6.4.2 Bayer AG
    • 6.4.3 Corteva Agriscience
    • 6.4.4 Groupe Limagrain
    • 6.4.5 DLF Seeds A/S
    • 6.4.6 Enza Zaden Beheer B.V.
    • 6.4.7 BASF SE
    • 6.4.8 Rijk Zwaan Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel BV
    • 6.4.9 Advanta Seeds Ltd. (UPL Ltd.)
    • 6.4.10 Known You Seed Pvt Ltd
    • 6.4.11 Sakata Seeds Corporation
    • 6.4.12 East-West Seed Company Limited
    • 6.4.13 Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group)
    • 6.4.14 Bejo Zaden BV

7. KEY STRATEGIC QUESTIONS FOR SEEDS CEOS

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Southeast Asia 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. Indonesia, Myanmar, 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 & 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 & Cereals Sorghum
Other Grains & Cereals
Oilseeds Canola, Rapeseed & Mustard
Soybean
Sunflower
Other Oilseeds
Pulses
Vegetables Brassicas Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower & Broccoli
Other Brassicas
Cucurbits Cucumber & Gherkin
Pumpkin & Squash
Other Cucurbits
Roots & Bulbs Garlic
Onion
Potato
Other Roots & Bulbs
Solanaceae Chilli
Eggplant
Tomato
Other Solanaceae
Unclassified Vegetables Asparagus
Lettuce
Okra
Peas
Spinach
Other Unclassified Vegetables
Country
Indonesia
Myanmar
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Rest of SouthEast Asia
Breeding Technology Hybrids Non-Transgenic Hybrids
Transgenic Hybrids Herbicide Tolerant Hybrids
Insect Resistant Hybrids
Other Traits
Open Pollinated Varieties & 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 & Cereals Sorghum
Other Grains & Cereals
Oilseeds Canola, Rapeseed & Mustard
Soybean
Sunflower
Other Oilseeds
Pulses
Vegetables Brassicas Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower & Broccoli
Other Brassicas
Cucurbits Cucumber & Gherkin
Pumpkin & Squash
Other Cucurbits
Roots & Bulbs Garlic
Onion
Potato
Other Roots & Bulbs
Solanaceae Chilli
Eggplant
Tomato
Other Solanaceae
Unclassified Vegetables Asparagus
Lettuce
Okra
Peas
Spinach
Other Unclassified Vegetables
Country Indonesia
Myanmar
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Rest of SouthEast Asia
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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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