Groowe Groowe BETA / Newsroom
⏱ News is delayed by 15 minutes. Sign in for real-time access. Sign in

Global Plant Breeding Market Forecast to 2036 | USD 28.13 Billion Opportunity Driven by CRISPR, AI, and Demand for Climate-Resilient Crops

globenewswire.com
CTVA Corteva Agriscience is listed as a leading participant in the global plant breeding market, which is projected to grow significantly due to advancements in technology and demand for climate-resilient crops. The article does not provide specific sentiment towards Corteva. BG Benson Hill, Inc. is identified as a leading participant in the global plant breeding market. The article projects significant market growth due to technological innovation and climate change adaptation needs, but does not express specific sentiment for Benson Hill. EVGN Evogene Ltd. is listed as a leading participant in the global plant breeding market. The article forecasts substantial growth for this market driven by technological advancements and the need for resilient crops, but offers no specific sentiment for Evogene.

Global Plant Breeding Market Forecast to 2036 | USD 28.13 Billion Opportunity Driven by CRISPR, AI, and Demand for Climate-Resilient Crops Dublin, Nov. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "Plant Breeding Market - Global Forecast to 2036" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global plant breeding market is projected to reach USD 28.13 billion by 2036, up from USD 13.53 billion in 2026, registering a CAGR of 7.6% during the 2026-2036 forecast period, according to the report. Market growth is being driven by global food security requirements, population expansion, climate disruption, advances in genomics and gene editing, and rising R&D investment by seed companies.

With the global population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, agricultural producers face increasing pressure to improve crop productivity, quality, and resilience. Plant breeding programs are combining field-based selection with marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection (GS), high-throughput phenotyping, genetic engineering, and genome editing. Technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9 are enabling more precise crop development while reducing breeding timelines.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are also becoming increasingly important across plant breeding pipelines. These technologies support faster trait discovery, predictive selection, improved data analysis, and more efficient development of crop varieties. Regulatory and policy initiatives, including the European Union's Farm to Fork Strategy, are further shaping demand for sustainable, productive, and climate-resilient crops.

Plant Breeding Market Segmentation

The report segments the global plant breeding market by method, trait, application, and geography. Methods include conventional breeding and biotechnological breeding. Trait categories cover herbicide tolerance, disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, drought resistance, yield improvement, nutritional quality enhancement, and other traits. Applications include cereals & grains, oilseeds & pulses, fruits & vegetables, turf & ornamentals, and other crops.

Market Outlook by Method

Conventional breeding is expected to account for the largest market share in 2026, supported by the established use of hybridization, selection, and mutation breeding in commercial seed development. Biotechnological breeding is projected to record the fastest growth through 2036 as seed companies expand their use of molecular breeding, genetic engineering, genomic selection, and genome-editing technologies.

The growing adoption of precision breeding tools reflects the industry's focus on accelerating product development and introducing crops with targeted agronomic and nutritional characteristics. Shorter breeding cycles and greater selection accuracy are expected to strengthen demand for biotechnological methods throughout the forecast period.

Market Outlook by Trait and Application

Herbicide tolerance and disease resistance are expected to represent the largest trait segments in 2026, reflecting their extensive use in major row crops, including maize and soybean. Abiotic stress tolerance is forecast to experience the fastest growth as growers seek varieties capable of performing under extreme temperatures, salinity, and changing rainfall patterns.

Cereals & grains are expected to lead the plant breeding market by application in 2026 due to the extensive cultivation of wheat, maize, and rice. Fruits & vegetables are projected to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Growth in this segment is supported by vegetable seed innovation, demand for enhanced nutritional profiles, and the expansion of high-value specialty seed markets.

Regional Plant Breeding Market Trends

Asia-Pacific is expected to hold the largest share of the global plant breeding market in 2026. Its position is supported by a substantial agricultural base, expanding commercial seed markets in China and India, government support for agricultural biotechnology, and increasing emphasis on food self-sufficiency. Prominent companies active in the region include Syngenta Group, Sakata Seed Corporation, Takii & Co., Ltd., and East-West Seed.

North America is projected to post the highest CAGR through 2036. Early adoption of genome-editing technologies, a supportive environment for biotechnology innovation, and significant private-sector R&D investment are contributing to regional growth. The U.S. remains an important center for plant genomics, precision breeding, and agricultural technology startups.

Europe continues to be a significant plant breeding market, with a strong focus on sustainability, non-GMO breeding techniques, conventional breeding, and horticultural seed innovation. Germany, France, and the Netherlands are established centers for seed research and production, while evolving genome-editing regulations may create additional opportunities.

Competitive Landscape

Leading participants in the global plant breeding market include Bayer AG, Syngenta Group, KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA, Corteva Agriscience, Limagrain, BASF SE, DLF Seeds A/S, Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp., UPL Limited, Benson Hill, Inc., Equinom Ltd., Rijk Zwaan, Sakata Seed Corporation, Pairwise, Cibus Inc., Evogene Ltd., Inari Agriculture, Inc., KeyGene, Takii & Co., Ltd., and East-West Seed.

The report evaluates historical and forecast market revenue, growth drivers, competitive strategies, product offerings, and emerging opportunities. It also provides country-level analysis across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa, helping industry participants assess plant breeding market trends and identify high-growth methods, traits, applications, and geographic markets through 2036.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rt8fd8

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.