United States Seed Market Size and Share

United States Seed Market (2025 - 2030)
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United States Seed Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The United States seed market size stood at USD 20.8 billion in 2025 and is set to reach USD 29.1 billion by 2030, translating to a 6.85% CAGR during 2025-2030. Technology breakthroughs in gene editing, wider precision-agriculture adoption, and a supportive federal policy framework are lifting demand across major crop segments. Faster trait launches through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) coordination are shortening commercialization cycles, while tax credits that expand biofuel feedstock capacity are enlarging planted acreage.[1]Source: Food and Drug Administration, “How GMO Crops Impact Our World,” FDA.gov Hybrids dominate breeding technology preferences thanks to stacked-trait packages that help farmers manage weed pressure and climate variability. Open field plantings command the bulk of seed use, yet protected cultivation seeds are showing a strong niche growth as indoor vegetable farming scales. Competitive intensity remains moderate with the top five companies holding a 57% revenue share, leaving space for regional specialists and digital-agriculture disrupters.[2]Source: Federal Trade Commission, “FTC Launches Inquiry into Agricultural Industry Consolidation,” ftc.gov

Key Report Takeaways

  • By breeding technology, hybrids led with an 84.1% United States seed market share in 2024, and are projected to expand at a 6.9% CAGR through 2030.
  • By cultivation mechanism, open field plantings accounted for 93.2% of the United States seed market size in 2024, and this category is forecast to grow at an 8.33% CAGR between 2025 and 2030.
  • By crop type, row crops captured 93.2% of the United States seed market share in 2024, while vegetables are set to advance at a 10.4% CAGR to 2030.
  • The top five players accounted for 57% of the United States seed market share in 2024.

Segment Analysis

By Breeding Technology: Hybrids Drive Innovation Adoption

Hybrids held an 84.1% United States seed market share in 2024 and are forecast to post a 6.9% CAGR to 2030, reflecting farmer confidence in yield stability. Transgenic hybrids incorporating stacked herbicide tolerance and insect resistance command price premiums that underpin segment value growth. Non-transgenic hybrids remain important for organic and export-sensitive channels, although they trail commercial hybrids by 15-20% in yield. Rapid gene-editing under the SECURE rule accelerates trait introgression, contributing to the segment’s growth trajectory.

Growth momentum contrasts with the 4.2% CAGR seen between 2019 and 2024 because growers now prioritize genetics that combine yield, stress tolerance, and herbicide flexibility. The United States seed market size attributable to hybrids is projected to reach USD 24.5 billion by 2030, supported by continued investment in molecular breeding platforms.

United States Seed Market: Market Share by Breeding Technology

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By Cultivation Mechanism: Open Field Expansion Outpaces Protected System

Protected cultivation commands 99.8% market share in 2024, reflecting the dominance of field-based agriculture in the United States, yet open field cultivation is experiencing the fastest growth at 8.33% CAGR, driven by precision agriculture adoption and climate-adapted variety development. This apparent contradiction reflects measurement methodology differences, where protected cultivation includes controlled environment agriculture for high-value crops like vegetables and specialty seeds, while open field growth represents expansion in traditional row crop acreage and intensity of seed use per acre.

The shift toward open field intensification reflects economic pressures that favor scalable production systems over capital-intensive protected cultivation, particularly as precision agriculture technologies enable field-based optimization previously available only in controlled environments. Climate change adaptation strategies are driving demand for field-tested genetics that perform under variable weather conditions, supporting the development of resilient varieties suited to open field production challenges.

By Crop Type: Row Crops Dominate While Specialty Segments Accelerate

Row crops delivered 93.2% of the United States seed market revenue in 2024 and will expand at a 6.96% CAGR through 2030. Corn and soybean seeds draw demand from biofuel mandates and animal-feed requirements, with stacked traits boosting per-unit prices. High-oleic soybean varieties also earn premiums of USD 0.50-0.75 per bushel. Fiber crops such as cotton rely on pest-resistant genetics to safeguard yields in the Southeast.

Vegetable seeds account for a smaller share but are gaining ground at double-digit rates as consumer demand for fresh and local produce climbs. Pulses are emerging in response to plant-protein popularity, encouraging breeders to optimize food-grade traits. Specialty crop growth supports diversification and reduces reliance on commodity price cycles.

United States Seed Market: Market Share by Crop Type

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Geography Analysis

The Midwest Corn Belt represents the largest portion of the United States seed market revenue, anchored by dense corn and soybean rotations that rely on high-value hybrids. The Great Plains states form a significant segment, with drought-tolerant genetics serving as a strategic priority due to variable rainfall. California contributes substantially to the market worth, underscoring the high per-acre seed spending for vegetables and orchard crops that support the state's robust farm economy.

The Southeast demonstrates strong regional growth potential through the forecast period as heat-tolerant cotton and vegetable varieties attract investment. Cover-crop programs linked to carbon markets are adding incremental seed demand across Indiana, Iowa, and Illinois. The Pacific Northwest accounts for a smaller share of revenue, focusing on export-quality wheat and specialty potatoes, with breeders emphasizing traits that satisfy foreign quality specifications.

Emerging policy differences also influence geography: California's Proposition 12 and Vermont's gene-edited labeling laws impose unique compliance requirements, nudging seed companies to develop region-specific portfolios. USDA funding under the Climate-Smart Commodities initiative injects additional momentum by subsidizing sustainable practice adoption that depends on specialized seed varieties.

Competitive Landscape

The United States seed market records a moderate concentration level. Corteva Agriscience leverages its Pioneer dealer network to sustain the largest share, while Bayer AG taps Climate FieldView to integrate digital insights into seed selection. Syngenta Group’s 2025 acquisition of Beck’s Hybrids broadens the Midwestern reach and supplies a direct-to-farmer model attractive to growers who value local testing.

BASF SE launched its first CRISPR-edited soybean variety in 2025 after APHIS confirmed non-regulated status, reflecting how gene-editing accelerates commercialization. KWS SAAT SE and Co. KGaA’s Nebraska breeding center focuses on drought-adapted corn, highlighting regional specialization. Technology platforms that combine genetics with agronomic data strengthen customer lock-in and create recurring revenue across input categories.

Patent expiries beginning in 2025 trigger generics competition for Roundup Ready traits, giving smaller firms access to established modes of action. The Federal Trade Commission’s scrutiny of mergers is steering majors toward research partnerships rather than megadeals, opening ecosystem roles for analytics firms and trait-discovery startups.

United States Seed Industry Leaders

  1. BASF SE

  2. Bayer AG

  3. Corteva Agriscience

  4. Land O’Lakes Inc.

  5. Syngenta Group

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

  • October 2025: Corteva announced plans to separate into two independent public companies, with one company specializing in crop protection and the other in seeds and traits. This separation aims to improve operational efficiency and increase value across its U.S. and global agricultural operations.
  • February 2025: Namdhari Seeds acquired 100% of Axia's U.S.-based open-field vegetable seed business, expanding its global operations. The acquisition includes breeding rights and enhances Namdhari's presence in key export markets, including Mexico and the United States.

Table of Contents for United States 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
    • 4.1.2 Vegetables
  • 4.2 Most Popular Traits
    • 4.2.1 Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Broccoli
    • 4.2.2 Rice and Corn
    • 4.2.3 Soybean and Alfalfa
    • 4.2.4 Tomato and Cucumber
  • 4.3 Breeding Techniques
    • 4.3.1 Row Crops and Vegetables
  • 4.4 Regulatory Framework
  • 4.5 Value Chain and Distribution Channel Analysis
  • 4.6 Market Drivers
    • 4.6.1 Adoption of herbicide-tolerant soybean and corn hybrids
    • 4.6.2 Growing demand for drought-resistant traits in Southern Plains
    • 4.6.3 Precision-agriculture seed prescriptions boosting replacement cycles
    • 4.6.4 Surge in domestic biofuel feedstock programs
    • 4.6.5 Carbon-credit programs rewarding cover-crop seed sales
    • 4.6.6 Gene-editing (CRISPR) approvals accelerating trait launches
  • 4.7 Market Restraints
    • 4.7.1 Consolidation-driven seed price inflation
    • 4.7.2 Patent-expiry litigation on blockbuster traits
    • 4.7.3 Tight on-farm liquidity after 2023 commodity price dip
    • 4.7.4 Regulatory uncertainty over gene-edited crops at state level

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 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 and Cereals
    • 5.3.1.3.1 Corn
    • 5.3.1.3.2 Rice
    • 5.3.1.3.3 Sorghum
    • 5.3.1.3.4 Wheat
    • 5.3.1.3.5 Other Grains and Cereals
    • 5.3.1.4 Oilseeds
    • 5.3.1.4.1 Canola, Rapeseed, and 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 Cauliflower and Broccoli
    • 5.3.2.1.3 Other Brassicas
    • 5.3.2.2 Cucurbits
    • 5.3.2.2.1 Cucumber and Gherkin
    • 5.3.2.2.2 Pumpkin and Squash
    • 5.3.2.2.3 Other Cucurbits
    • 5.3.2.3 Roots and 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 and 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

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 Segments, Financials as Available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share for Key Companies, Products and Services, and Recent Developments)
    • 6.4.1 Corteva Agriscience
    • 6.4.2 Bayer AG
    • 6.4.3 Syngenta Group
    • 6.4.4 BASF SE
    • 6.4.5 Groupe Limagrain
    • 6.4.6 KWS SAAT SE and Co. KGaA
    • 6.4.7 Land O'Lakes Inc.
    • 6.4.8 DLF
    • 6.4.9 Beck's Hybrids
    • 6.4.10 Stine Seed Company
    • 6.4.11 Advanta Seeds (UPL Ltd.)
    • 6.4.12 Sakata Seed Corporation
    • 6.4.13 Enza Zaden
    • 6.4.14 Barenbrug Group

7. KEY STRATEGIC QUESTIONS FOR SEEDS CEOS

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United States 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.
Breeding Technology
Hybrids Non-Transgenic Hybrids
Transgenic Hybrids Herbicide Tolerant Hybrids
Insect Resistant Hybrids
Other Traits
Open Pollinated Varieties and 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 and Cereals Corn
Rice
Sorghum
Wheat
Other Grains and Cereals
Oilseeds Canola, Rapeseed, and Mustard
Soybean
Sunflower
Other Oilseeds
Pulses
Vegetables Brassicas Cabbage
Cauliflower and Broccoli
Other Brassicas
Cucurbits Cucumber and Gherkin
Pumpkin and Squash
Other Cucurbits
Roots and Bulbs Garlic
Onion
Potato
Other Roots and Bulbs
Solanaceae Chilli
Eggplant
Tomato
Other Solanaceae
Unclassified Vegetables Asparagus
Lettuce
Okra
Peas
Spinach
Other Unclassified Vegetables
Breeding Technology Hybrids Non-Transgenic Hybrids
Transgenic Hybrids Herbicide Tolerant Hybrids
Insect Resistant Hybrids
Other Traits
Open Pollinated Varieties and 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 and Cereals Corn
Rice
Sorghum
Wheat
Other Grains and Cereals
Oilseeds Canola, Rapeseed, and Mustard
Soybean
Sunflower
Other Oilseeds
Pulses
Vegetables Brassicas Cabbage
Cauliflower and Broccoli
Other Brassicas
Cucurbits Cucumber and Gherkin
Pumpkin and Squash
Other Cucurbits
Roots and Bulbs Garlic
Onion
Potato
Other Roots and Bulbs
Solanaceae Chilli
Eggplant
Tomato
Other Solanaceae
Unclassified Vegetables Asparagus
Lettuce
Okra
Peas
Spinach
Other Unclassified Vegetables
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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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