Global Wheat Seed Market Size Analysis Report - Market Share, Forecast Trends and Outlook (2024-2032)

Global Wheat Seed Market Growth

Wheat makes up a good portion of the overall edible components of the diet for consumers across the globe. It is cultivated in many parts due to its agronomic adaptability for production in any soil and climate type. In addition, the crop is easy to store, and the grains can be ground into flour, which is used to make bread and cookies, among others. The wheat seed market development is being fuelled by the growing population worldwide, leading to an increased demand for food, especially edibles made from wheat flour, such as bread. In this regard, rapid technological advancements such as better storage facilities and enhanced germination technologies are helping to bolster production and meet the increased demand. In addition, the creation of better-yield hybrid wheat seeds is also expected to contribute to the market growth.

The increasing emphasis on sustainability is leading to the shift towards organic wheat production. The growing demand for seeds that comply with sustainable agricultural practices and require fewer inputs such as pesticides and fertilisers is boosting the wheat seed market revenue. As of 2024, organic farming is practised in 188 countries, and more than 96 million hectares of agricultural land are managed organically by nearly 4.5 million farmers.

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Global Wheat Seed Market Trends

Growing Demand for Wheat

The wheat seed market growth can be attributed to the growing demand for wheat. Wheat is a staple food crop, represents 20% of proteins and calories in the human diet, and is crucial for food security and supply, especially in North Africa and West and Central Asia. Moreover, the rising population levels globally are surging the demand for wheat as an affordable and nutritious food. As per the United Nations, the global population is expected to surpass 9.7 billion by 2050 and peak at around 0.4 billion in the mid-2080s. Rapid urbanisation and the growing demand for processed wheat products such as pastries, bread, and pasta are surging the requirement for high-quality and consistent wheat production, aiding the market expansion.

Global Wheat Seed Market Drivers

Rising Demand for High-Yield and Disease-Resistant Wheat Seed

With growing concerns regarding climate change and the rising prevalence of unpredictable weather conditions such as extreme temperatures and droughts, there is a surging demand for drought-tolerant wheat seeds that can thrive under adverse weather conditions. In August 2024, the Indian government introduced the Pusa Gehun Gaurav (HI 8840), developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), a new climate-resilient wheat variety to address the diverse and challenging climatic conditions that impact wheat cultivation across India. In addition, the rising prevalence of crop-damaging diseases, such as Fusarium head blight, wheat rust, and powdery mildew, is increasing the demand for disease-resistant wheat varieties, creating lucrative wheat seed market opportunities. In June 2024, an ergot-resistant durum wheat line, DT2033, was developed in Canada, boasting intermediate resistance to fusarium head blight (FHB).

Global Wheat Seed Market Overview

Technological Advancements and Innovations

Advancements in technologies such as genetic engineering and gene editing are shaping the wheat seed market trends and dynamics. Such technologies enable precise manipulation of the genetic makeup of wheat to improve traits like stress tolerance, yield, and disease resistance while speeding up the wheat seed development process. In May 2024, the trial for gene-edited wheat, which is 10% more production and enhances the sustainability of farming, began in Australia. Innovations such as hybrid wheat seeds, involving crossing two genetically distinct parent lines to produce offspring that exhibit hybrid vigour, are also revolutionising the market. These wheat varieties outperform conventional wheat seeds in yield and offer improved resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stressors.

Growing Use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

The increasing deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) aimed at revolutionising the management, cultivation, and breeding of wheat is shaping the wheat seeds market landscape. Breeders use AI and ML to analyse large genomic datasets, identify genetic markers associated with desirable traits like drought tolerance and disease resistance, predict the outcomes of genetic changes, and select seeds with the highest potential for success in specific conditions. Furthermore, AI-powered tools like image recognition and computer vision are used to detect early signs of pest infestations, predict disease risks before they spread, and monitor environmental conditions in real-time. AI and ML models can also forecast demand for specific seed varieties, optimise the logistics of wheat seed distribution by considering factors like demand fluctuations, transportation routes, and storage conditions, and provide real-time tracking and monitoring of wheat seed batches.

Market News

October 2024

Nuziveedu Seeds announced the launch of NWS-2194 Badshah, its first wheat variety designed to offer farmers high-yield potential. The wheat variety is climate resilient and has excellent disease resistance, ensuring improved productivity and profitability.

September 2024

The Sharjah Department of Agriculture and Livestock (SDAL) began distributing non-genetically modified wheat seeds to farmers, aimed at strengthening Saudi Arabia’s food security strategy and achieving self-sufficiency in wheat cultivation.

Global Wheat Seed Market Overview

The wheat seed market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing global demand for wheat, a staple food that provides essential proteins and calories. As the global population is projected to surpass 9.7 billion by 2050, the need for affordable and nutritious wheat rises, particularly in regions like North Africa and West and Central Asia. Urbanisation and the popularity of processed wheat products like bread and pasta further boost this demand. Additionally, climate change and unpredictable weather conditions are increasing the need for drought-tolerant wheat varieties that can withstand extreme temperatures and weather anomalies. The development of new climate-resilient wheat varieties, such as the Pusa Gehun Gaurav in India, is addressing these challenges. There is also a growing need for disease-resistant wheat due to the increasing prevalence of crop-damaging diseases like wheat rust and Fusarium head blight. Technological advancements, such as genetic engineering and gene editing, are enabling the development of high-yield, disease-resistant wheat. AI and machine learning (ML) are further transforming the market by enhancing wheat breeding, pest management, and logistics. AI tools help predict disease risks, optimise seed distribution, and improve farming efficiency, offering new opportunities for precision agriculture and sustainable wheat production.

Global Wheat Seed Market Restraints

The growth of the wheat seed industry can be impeded by the highly volatile prices of wheat seeds due to shifting demand, evolving wheat prices, and geopolitical tensions. Crops like soybeans, corn, and rice are more profitable and less resource-intensive than wheat, which can boost their preference among farmers, and consequently lower the demand for wheat seeds. Although key players are actively developing wheat seeds with improved disease resistance, the evolving nature of pests and pathogens and the emergence of new diseases can challenge the market development. Furthermore, various countries, especially in Europe and the Asia Pacific, are regulating or banning the use of GMOs, limiting the adoption of genetically modified wheat seeds, slowing down the development of innovative wheat varieties.

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Global Wheat Seed Industry Segmentation

The EMR’s report titled “Global Wheat Seed Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Type

• Hard Red Winter
• Soft Red Winter
• Hard White
• Soft White
• Hard Red Spring Wheat Seed
• Durum Wheat Seed

Market Breakup by Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Global Wheat Seed Market Share

By Type Insights

Hard red winter wheat seed is one of the most widely grown types of wheat, particularly in regions with cold winters, like the Great Plains of the United States. Hard red winter wheat boasts strong gluten content and high protein content and is hard in texture, due to which it is widely used in bread and baked goods production. Advancements in wheat breeding aimed at making hard red winter wheat more resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental stressors are propelling the wheat seed market expansion.

Soft red winter wheat seed has a lower protein content, ranging between 8-10%, is soft, and has weak gluten strength. In June 2022, Grow Pro Genetics launched three new red winter wheat varieties, The Next Generation – GP 348, The Fusarium Fighter – GP 463, The Consistent & Proven– GP 381 with enhanced BYVD tolerance and exceptional responsiveness to high fertility rates, boast a fast dry down rates and support farmers looking to enhance their wheat growing strategies.

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Global Wheat Seed Market Regional Insights

North America Wheat Seed Market Overview

Wheat is a staple crop and a major agricultural commodity in North America and plays an essential role in providing raw materials for animal feed and food products. The wheat seed demand growth in North America is being fuelled by the growing demand for wheat-based products such as cereal, bread, and animal feed. In the United States, wheat is the third most-grown field crop in planted acreage, production, and gross farm receipts, behind corn and soybeans. In MY 2024-2025, farmers in the US produced 2.0 billion bushels of winter, durum, and other spring wheat from a harvested area of 37.9 million acres. The increasing approvals of genetically modified seed varieties in the United States and Canada are driving the growth of the wheat seed market. In August 2024, the US Department of Agriculture announced that the genetically modified wheat developed by Argentina's Bioceres Crop Solutions, HB4 wheat, was safe to grow in the United States.

Europe Wheat Seed Market Dynamics

In 2022, France is the European Union’s biggest wheat producer, with an output of 34.6 million tons in 2022. It was followed by Germany (22.7 million tons), Poland (13.2 million tons), and Germany (22.7 million tons). The growing demand for high-quality wheat, especially in sectors like baking and feed, is fuelling the Europe wheat seed market expansion. The Europe agriculture sector places a special emphasis on sustainability, prompting farmers to adopt low-input wheat varieties and environmentally friendly practices to improve soil health and reduce overall carbon emissions.

Asia Pacific Wheat Seed Market Trends

The Asia Pacific is home to several significant wheat production countries like India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Kazakhstan. In 2023, India produced 112.74 million metric tonnes of wheat. Rapid urbanisation and evolving dietary patterns in the region are surging the demand for wheat and wheat-based products. For instance, India and China are also the biggest consumers of wheat in the world. Increasing research and development (R&D) activities aimed at creating high-yielding, climate-resilient and disease-resistant wheat varieties are further bolstering the Asia Pacific wheat seed market development. In addition, farmers and seed companies are leveraging technologies like big data and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance seed selection and analyse factors like weather patterns, soil conditions, and historical crop performance.

Recent Developments

Key wheat seed market players are investing in research activities to develop high-yielding, climate-resistant, and disease-resistant wheat seed varieties to combat challenges associated with water scarcity, weather patterns, and pest infestations. They are also introducing digital platforms that use AI and data analytics to provide farmers with tailored recommendations for seed selection, irrigation practices, and pest management.

Key Industry Players

UPL Limited

UPL Limited, founded in 1969 and headquartered in Mumbai, India, is a prominent agricultural company that offers various crop protection products, biological solutions, and post-harvest technologies to improve sustainability and agricultural productivity. The company is also engaged in developing disease-resistant, high-yielding, and climate-resilient wheat varieties amid growing food demands.

Corteva Agriscience

Corteva Agriscience, established in 2019 and headquartered in Delaware, United States, is a prominent agricultural company specialising in crop protection, seeds, and digital agriculture solutions. The company actively invests in research and development (R&D) activities to create high-performance wheat seeds that meet specific requirements of wheat farmers.

Syngenta AG

Syngenta AG, founded in 2000 and headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is a leading global agricultural science and technology company. Specialising in crop protection, digital agriculture, seeds, and biologicals, the company aims to enhance sustainability, food security, and productivity.

Other major players in the wheat seed market include Agrovegetal SA, ProHarvest Seeds Inc, RAGT Seeds UK, and Northern Agri Brands LLC, among others.

Recent Developments

August 2020

Syngenta introduced two new hard red winter wheat varieties bred to support wheat growers in the Central Plains to tackle winter annual grasses and boost yield performance. The new AgriPro® brand wheat seed varieties, AP18 AX and SY Wolverine, provide improved tolerance to wheat streak mosaic.

June 2020

BASF and Seednet confirmed the accessibility of growers to Ascot, its wheat seed renowned for its high quality and yield and agronomic adaptability.

Wheat Seed Market Report Snapshots

Wheat Seed Market Size

Wheat Seed Market Growth

Wheat Seed Companies