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Forage Seed Market Size

The forage seed market is experiencing growth driven by the rising livestock population, which necessitates an expansion in forage areas and the use of high-yield, high-feed-value seed varieties. This demand is prompting significant investments in seed quality improvements. The hybrid seed segment is particularly dominant due to increased adoption and awareness of its benefits, while the transgenic segment is also growing as farmers seek to mitigate crop losses from weeds and diseases. The Asia-Pacific region, especially with open-pollinated varieties, is projected to grow rapidly due to lower input requirements, making it more accessible for smallholders. North America holds a substantial market share, largely due to high forage demand as feed and favorable weather conditions.

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Market Size of forage seed Industry

Forage Seed Market Summary
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svg icon Study Period 2017 - 2030
svg icon Market Size (2024) USD 4.75 Billion
svg icon Market Size (2030) USD 5.99 Billion
svg icon Largest Share by Breeding Technology Hybrids
svg icon CAGR (2024 - 2030) 3.96 %
svg icon Largest Share by Region North America
svg icon Market Concentration Low

Major Players
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*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Key Players

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Forage Seed Market Analysis

The Forage Seed Market size is estimated at 4.75 billion USD in 2024, and is expected to reach 5.99 billion USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.96% during the forecast period (2024-2030).

4.75 Billion

Market Size in 2024 (USD)

5.99 Billion

Market Size in 2030 (USD)

4.92 %

CAGR (2017-2023)

3.96 %

CAGR (2024-2030)

Largest Market by Crop

22.87 %

value share, Alfalfa, 2023

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Alfalfa is in high demand in the region by dairy farmers for animal feed. It can be harvested 10-12 times per crop season and has high nutritional protein content.

Largest Market by Country

19.81 %

value share, Canada, 2023

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The demand for forage crops in the country is on the rise, primarily due to the adoption of high-yielding varieties and growing government initiatives to encourage forage growers.

Fastest-growing Market by Crop

4.41 %

Projected CAGR, Forage Sorghum, 2024-2030

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The increasing demand for forage sorghum is due to the development of dual-purpose varieties, preference for sorghum silage, and availability of highly nutritious varieties.

Fastest-growing Market by Country

7.23 %

Projected CAGR, Iran, 2024-2030

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Iran has a high demand for forage crops due to the high demand for better-quality meat, increasing cattle population, and awareness about quality feed among farmers.

Leading Market Player

9.94 %

market share, DLF, 2022

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DLF Seeds is the most active company in the forage seed market, which has increased its revenue through product innovations, partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions.

Hybrids dominate the forage seed market with the higher growth potential concerning the open-pollinated varieties.

  • The livestock population is increasing across the regions. The increase in livestock population needs an expansion of the area under forages and demands the use of varieties with high yield potential and a high feed value. This is one of the major factors leading to the growth of the hybrid and open-pollinated seed market.
  • Major companies are investing in improving seed quality due to increased demand. For instance, in 2021, DLF Seeds, the world’s leading grass seed breeder, invested USD 4.6 million in new state-of-the-art mixing and distribution facilities. The investment will transform their current production facilities of OPVs and the hybrid seed of forage and bring much-needed additional capacity and efficiency to cope with the future market demands in the amenity, consumer, and environmental stewardship in the forage seed market.
  • The hybrid seed segment dominates the market due to the increased adoption and awareness about its benefits. The hybrid seed market segment is estimated to increase by a CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period due to the rise in the seed replacement rate and the availability of improved varieties in the market.
  • The farmer's preference for transgenic varieties is slowly rising in various forage-growing regions due to increased crop losses due to weeds and diseases. Therefore, the transgenic segment is growing with a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period.
  • The Asia-Pacific forage seed market using OPVs seeds is projected to be the fastest growing, at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period because open-pollinated varieties require fewer inputs, such as fertilizer and pesticides, and are less expensive and more affordable for small holding and low-income farmers.
Global Forage Seed Market

North America and Europe are leading forage seed markets in the world due to the large demand for forage seeds in these regions

  • Globally, North America holds a major share, accounting for 42.3% of the global forage seeds market in terms of value in 2022 due to the increase in the demand for forage as feed, an increase in meat consumption, and weather conditions. In North America, the United States has the largest forage seed market, accounting for 37.0% of North America's forage seed market in 2022. This is due to the high demand for forage as feed and the increase in the cattle population in the country.
  • Europe was the primary producer of forages. It contributed 26.7% to the global forage seed market in 2022. The increase in livestock production and consumption is driving the forage market in the region. Germany is the largest producer of forage crops in Europe, with a market share of 29.4% in the region's forage seed market in 2022.
  • Asia-Pacific accounted for about 15.1% of the global forage seed market in 2022. India has the largest forage seed market in the region, and it accounted for 18% of the Asia-Pacific forage seed market in terms of value in 2022. The growing demand for forage crops due to the growing livestock sector in the region is anticipated to drive the region's forage seed market, registering a CAGR of 2.7% during the forecast period.
  • In 2022, South America had a market share of 11.3% of the global forage seed market. Alfalfa is the major forage crop grown in South America. The availability of GM hybrids of alfalfa that are herbicide-resistant and tolerant to water stress and high lignin content for better digestibility is driving the transgenic alfalfa seed market in South America, and it is expected to register a CAGR of 4.2%.
  • The increasing demand due to the increased livestock population is anticipated to drive the market during the forecast period.

Forage Seed Industry Segmentation

Hybrids, Open Pollinated Varieties & Hybrid Derivatives are covered as segments by Breeding Technology. Alfalfa, Forage Corn, Forage Sorghum are covered as segments by Crop. Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America are covered as segments by Region.

  • The livestock population is increasing across the regions. The increase in livestock population needs an expansion of the area under forages and demands the use of varieties with high yield potential and a high feed value. This is one of the major factors leading to the growth of the hybrid and open-pollinated seed market.
  • Major companies are investing in improving seed quality due to increased demand. For instance, in 2021, DLF Seeds, the world’s leading grass seed breeder, invested USD 4.6 million in new state-of-the-art mixing and distribution facilities. The investment will transform their current production facilities of OPVs and the hybrid seed of forage and bring much-needed additional capacity and efficiency to cope with the future market demands in the amenity, consumer, and environmental stewardship in the forage seed market.
  • The hybrid seed segment dominates the market due to the increased adoption and awareness about its benefits. The hybrid seed market segment is estimated to increase by a CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period due to the rise in the seed replacement rate and the availability of improved varieties in the market.
  • The farmer's preference for transgenic varieties is slowly rising in various forage-growing regions due to increased crop losses due to weeds and diseases. Therefore, the transgenic segment is growing with a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period.
  • The Asia-Pacific forage seed market using OPVs seeds is projected to be the fastest growing, at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period because open-pollinated varieties require fewer inputs, such as fertilizer and pesticides, and are less expensive and more affordable for small holding and low-income farmers.
Breeding Technology
Hybrids
Non-Transgenic Hybrids
Transgenic Hybrids
Herbicide Tolerant Hybrids
Other Traits
Open Pollinated Varieties & Hybrid Derivatives
Crop
Alfalfa
Forage Corn
Forage Sorghum
Other Forage Crops
Region
Africa
By Breeding Technology
By Crop
By Country
Egypt
Ethiopia
Ghana
Kenya
Nigeria
South Africa
Tanzania
Rest of Africa
Asia-Pacific
By Breeding Technology
By Crop
By Country
Australia
Bangladesh
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Myanmar
Pakistan
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Rest of Asia-Pacific
Europe
By Breeding Technology
By Crop
By Country
France
Germany
Italy
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Russia
Spain
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Rest of Europe
Middle East
By Breeding Technology
By Crop
By Country
Iran
Saudi Arabia
Rest of Middle East
North America
By Breeding Technology
By Crop
By Country
Canada
Mexico
United States
Rest of North America
South America
By Breeding Technology
By Crop
By Country
Argentina
Brazil
Rest of South America
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Forage Seed Market Size Summary

The forage seed market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing livestock population and the subsequent demand for high-yield and high-feed-value forage varieties. This demand is prompting major companies to invest in improving seed quality and expanding production capabilities. The hybrid seed segment is particularly dominant due to its benefits, such as higher seed replacement rates and improved varieties. The market is also witnessing a gradual rise in the preference for transgenic varieties, which are gaining traction in regions facing crop losses from weeds and diseases. The Asia-Pacific region, especially with open-pollinated varieties, is projected to be the fastest-growing market segment, appealing to smallholders due to lower input costs.

Regionally, North America holds a substantial share of the global forage seed market, with the United States leading due to its high demand for forage as animal feed. Europe remains a key producer, with Germany at the forefront, driven by increased livestock production. The Asia-Pacific region, particularly India, is expanding its forage cultivation area, fueled by a growing livestock sector. South America is also seeing growth, with transgenic alfalfa seeds gaining popularity. The market is characterized by a diverse range of forage crops, with alfalfa and forage corn being prominent due to their digestibility and high protein content. Companies are focusing on developing varieties with traits like early maturity and disease resistance to meet the evolving demands of the market.

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Forage Seed Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET SEGMENTATION (includes market size in Value in USD, Forecasts up to 2030 and analysis of growth prospects)

    1. 1.1 Breeding Technology

      1. 1.1.1 Hybrids

        1. 1.1.1.1 Non-Transgenic Hybrids

        2. 1.1.1.2 Transgenic Hybrids

          1. 1.1.1.2.1 Herbicide Tolerant Hybrids

          2. 1.1.1.2.2 Other Traits

      2. 1.1.2 Open Pollinated Varieties & Hybrid Derivatives

    2. 1.2 Crop

      1. 1.2.1 Alfalfa

      2. 1.2.2 Forage Corn

      3. 1.2.3 Forage Sorghum

      4. 1.2.4 Other Forage Crops

    3. 1.3 Region

      1. 1.3.1 Africa

        1. 1.3.1.1 By Breeding Technology

        2. 1.3.1.2 By Crop

        3. 1.3.1.3 By Country

          1. 1.3.1.3.1 Egypt

          2. 1.3.1.3.2 Ethiopia

          3. 1.3.1.3.3 Ghana

          4. 1.3.1.3.4 Kenya

          5. 1.3.1.3.5 Nigeria

          6. 1.3.1.3.6 South Africa

          7. 1.3.1.3.7 Tanzania

          8. 1.3.1.3.8 Rest of Africa

      2. 1.3.2 Asia-Pacific

        1. 1.3.2.1 By Breeding Technology

        2. 1.3.2.2 By Crop

        3. 1.3.2.3 By Country

          1. 1.3.2.3.1 Australia

          2. 1.3.2.3.2 Bangladesh

          3. 1.3.2.3.3 China

          4. 1.3.2.3.4 India

          5. 1.3.2.3.5 Indonesia

          6. 1.3.2.3.6 Japan

          7. 1.3.2.3.7 Myanmar

          8. 1.3.2.3.8 Pakistan

          9. 1.3.2.3.9 Philippines

          10. 1.3.2.3.10 Thailand

          11. 1.3.2.3.11 Vietnam

          12. 1.3.2.3.12 Rest of Asia-Pacific

      3. 1.3.3 Europe

        1. 1.3.3.1 By Breeding Technology

        2. 1.3.3.2 By Crop

        3. 1.3.3.3 By Country

          1. 1.3.3.3.1 France

          2. 1.3.3.3.2 Germany

          3. 1.3.3.3.3 Italy

          4. 1.3.3.3.4 Netherlands

          5. 1.3.3.3.5 Poland

          6. 1.3.3.3.6 Romania

          7. 1.3.3.3.7 Russia

          8. 1.3.3.3.8 Spain

          9. 1.3.3.3.9 Turkey

          10. 1.3.3.3.10 Ukraine

          11. 1.3.3.3.11 United Kingdom

          12. 1.3.3.3.12 Rest of Europe

      4. 1.3.4 Middle East

        1. 1.3.4.1 By Breeding Technology

        2. 1.3.4.2 By Crop

        3. 1.3.4.3 By Country

          1. 1.3.4.3.1 Iran

          2. 1.3.4.3.2 Saudi Arabia

          3. 1.3.4.3.3 Rest of Middle East

      5. 1.3.5 North America

        1. 1.3.5.1 By Breeding Technology

        2. 1.3.5.2 By Crop

        3. 1.3.5.3 By Country

          1. 1.3.5.3.1 Canada

          2. 1.3.5.3.2 Mexico

          3. 1.3.5.3.3 United States

          4. 1.3.5.3.4 Rest of North America

      6. 1.3.6 South America

        1. 1.3.6.1 By Breeding Technology

        2. 1.3.6.2 By Crop

        3. 1.3.6.3 By Country

          1. 1.3.6.3.1 Argentina

          2. 1.3.6.3.2 Brazil

          3. 1.3.6.3.3 Rest of South America

Forage Seed Market Size FAQs

The Global Forage Seed Market size is expected to reach USD 4.75 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 3.96% to reach USD 5.99 billion by 2030.

In 2024, the Global Forage Seed Market size is expected to reach USD 4.75 billion.

Forage Seeds Market Report Snapshots

Forage Seed Market SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS & FORECASTS UP TO 2030