United Kingdom Seeds Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

United Kingdom Seeds Market Size

The United Kingdom seeds market reached approximately USD 1.43 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.60% between 2024 and 2032. It is estimated to reach a value of around USD 2.14 billion by 2032.

United Kingdom Seeds Market Outlook

• As of 2023, wheat was the predominant crop in the United Kingdom with production of approximately 14 million tonnes in the year.

• As per industry reports, in 2023, total harvest of barley, oat, and rapeseeds in the United Kingdom was 7 million tonnes, 830,000 tonnes, and 1.2 million tonnes.

• Farmers favoured planting barley and rapeseeds which both saw increases in their cultivation area in 2023 and reached over 1.1 million hectares and 391 thousand hectares respectively.

United Kingdom Seeds Market Growth

The seeds market of UK is one of the most vital components of its economy and has a direct impact on a lot of things including the GDP of the country. An estimated 70% of the country’s total area is utilised for agriculture, which highlights the need for substantial seeds production. In the year 2023, food inflation rates peaked at 19.2% in the month of March, reaching an all-time high over the last 45 years. To bring down the rising food prices, an increased supply of food grains is needed which positively influences the seeds market.

Agriculture sector in United Kingdom produces 58% of the country’s food requirements and the country is also heavily reliant on the import of various seeds varieties from other countries to support its agricultural sector and meet its rising food demand.

United Kingdom has dedicated bodies like the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) with jurisdiction over England and Wales and the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) in Scotland that carry out health checks of imported plants, ensuring they are free from pests and diseases before they enter the seeds market.

Key Trends and Developments

Shift towards sustainable agriculture as well as consumer inclination towards organic and local produce positively influence the United Kingdom seeds market development.

June 2024

NFU Sugar’ and ‘British Sugar’ announced reforms in the United Kingdom's sugar beet seeds sector. These reforms were designed with the aim to provide more flexibility and a variety of choices as well as support information to farmers and producers. It will also address recurring issues with growers’ access to seeds. 

March 2024

Residents of Bradford, West Yorkshire, Northern England were offered free seed-growing kits to encourage them to grow their own food at home and promote indoor gardening. 

January 2024

Changes have been made to the seed treatment rules in the United Kingdom. It was announced that only seeds treated with Plant Protection Products (PPPs) that are authorised for that purpose in Great Britain, will be permitted for use. 

December 2023

United Kingdom cereal and rapeseeds cultivation areas have been revised by the UK government. The has also made changes to Scotland and Northern Ireland arable lands.

Shift towards sustainable farming practises

There is a growing emphasis on sustainable farming practices in the United Kingdom and an increased demand for organic seeds since consumers and farmers are prioritising natural and chemical-free produce. Also, organisations like Kew Gardens are promoting the cultivation of indigenous and natives to prevent biodiversity loss in the country. 

Demand for climate-resilient seeds

Extreme weather conditions and natural disasters such as droughts and floods in UK have led scientists and researchers to develop climate-resilient varieties of seeds by leveraging AI. These seeds help ensure that crops can survive tough weather conditions, thereby aiding in food security and United Kingdom seeds market growth.

Increase in indoor gardening habits

The United Kingdom is experiencing the growth of urban gardening, where individuals cultivate plants in indoor spaces. There is also rising consumer awareness regarding the benefits of organic and locally sourced food, which has driven up the demand for seeds of plants such as herbs, microgreens, and small vegetables.

United Kingdom Seeds Market Trends

In the year 2023, the Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA) across the country was more than 42 million acres. The total croppable area was almost 15 million acres and accounted for over a third (36%) of UAA. Cereals constituted the majority (71%) of the total arable area, covering almost 7.6 million acres in 2023. These huge areas of land along with newer seeds varieties are helping the country fulfil its food demands. Moreover, there is a high demand for high yield variety (HYV) seeds in the United Kingdom seeds market. This is due to their ability to produce a greater quantity of high-quality seeds. Also, these seeds are nutrient dense and hence, are preferred by farmers of the country. Similarly, genetically modified varieties are also being produced in UK on a large scale because they are disease resistant and reduces the risk of crop failure.

United Kingdom Seeds Industry Segmentation

The ‘United Kingdom Seeds Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032’ offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Type

• Conventional Seeds

• Genetically Modified Seeds

Market Breakup by Crop Type

• Row Crops
  • Fiber Crops
  • Forage Crops
  • Grains and Cereals
  • Oil Seeds
  • Pulses
• Vegetables 
  • Brassicas
  • Cucurbits
  • Roots and Bulbs
  • Solanaceae
  • Unclassified Vegetables

Market Breakup by Treatment

• Treated Seeds

• Untreated Seeds

Market Breakup by Trait

• Herbicide Tolerance

• Insect Resistance

• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• England

• Wales

• Northern-Ireland

• Scotland

United Kingdom Seeds Market Share

Genetically modified seeds are gaining popularity in the market due to their ability to help obtain a fail-proof yield

In the year 2023, the United Kingdom government launched the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding Act) which regulates the release and marketing of precision-bred plants and animals, including derived food and feed.  This act now allows for commercialization of gene-edited crop seeds in England to help cater to the seeds demand. One such type is the ‘CRISPR-Cas9’. The country is now conducting trials for gene modification of various seeds and will soon start selling them for commercial use. The genetically modified variety is also expected to help reduce the usage of chemical inputs in the crops.

Farmers and producers are gravitating towards treated seeds to prevent soil-borne and other diseases from destroying the crop

As per the United Kingdom seeds market analysis, treated seeds occupy most of the market share. Treated seeds are seeds coated with pesticides approved by the regulatory bodies, that keep away fungus and pests preventing crop damage. According to reports from 2023, all UK-sown maize seeds is imported into the country after it has been treated and packed by European breeders outside. There are 3 main treatments for seeds that are used in the seeds market in the United Kingdom. These are ‘Bayer’s fungicide Redigo M’ which is applied to all imported maize seeds to prevent them from rotting in the soil, except the organic variety. ‘Limagrain’s Korit 420 FS’ is a bird deterrent that helps keep birds away from the crop and is applied to at least 95% of the imported seed. ‘Syngenta’s Force 20 CS’ is another treatment used to prevent an infestation of wireworms and may occasionally be used as a bird deterrent.

Leading Companies in the United Kingdom Seeds Market

The market players are increasingly incorporating sustainable practices and promoting organic varieties to stand out in the market.

BASF SE

Founded in April 1865, Badische Anilin- & Sodafabrik (BASF) is a European multinational company, headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany. It is the largest chemical producer across the globe and is also a leading producer of vegetable seeds.

Bayer AG

Bayer AG is a multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company that was established in August 1863 and is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The corporation is headquartered in Leverkusen, Germany and primarily deals in the life science fields of health care and agriculture.

Corteva Inc.

Founded in 2019, Corteva Inc. is an American agricultural chemical and seeds company with headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was previously a part of DowDuPont before becoming an independent public company.

DLF Seeds A/S

Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Roskilde, Denmark, DLF is a global seeds company that supplies products across 80 countries worldwide. It primarily deals in forage, amenity seeds, sugar, beet seed, and ware potatoes, among other crops. 

Other key players in the United Kingdom seeds market report include Syngenta AG, Groupe Limagrain Holding, KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA, Sakata SeedsCorporation, Rijk Zwaan Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel, B.V. Takii & Co., Ltd., among others. 

United Kingdom Seeds Market Analysis by Region

England is the largest producer of seeds in the UK, driven by the region’s suitable climate

England, especially in the southeastern part of it, is associated with seeds production and is thus the largest producer and consumer of seeds in the United Kingdom seeds market. This is because of its good quality fertile soils, which are accompanied by high quantities of sunlight as well as a dryer climate.  The government with its initiatives and policies is also supporting the agricultural sector in England. According to a November 2023 report, the ‘House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee’ emphasised the importance of the horticulture sector for the country. The report highlighted the impact the sector had on the economy, food supply, and well-being of the people. Some of the famous seeds companies in England are ‘Real Seeds’ and ‘Vital Seeds’. In contrast, the market for seeds in Wales is more inclined towards organic produce. The Welsh producers are increasingly focusing on growing indigenous varieties to protect and promote the native species and reduce dependence on other varieties.

Key Highlights of the Report