United Kingdom Seeds Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034

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.

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Purchase the Regional Overview for USD 1099

If you choose to purchase the full report at a later stage, the amount already paid will be adjusted, and you will only need to pay the remaining balance.

Key Trends and Developments

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

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

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.