Maize Seed Market size (2023 – 2030)

Global Maize Seed Market is estimated to be worth USD 23.50 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a value of USD 32.16 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4% during the forecast period 2023-2030.

The maize seed market is a crucial and dynamic sector of the vast agricultural industry. It is one of the widely grown crops and finds use in many purposes like human consumption, industrial applications, and animal feed. Maize seeds are present in various genetic varieties catering to specific purposes. Maize or corn is used as field corn for livestock and industrial purposes, and sweet corn is consumed as a vegetable and in many culinary products like popcorn, and dent corn. Generally, hybrid maize seeds are used which are created by controlled cross-breeding, to enhance yield and nutritional content. Genetically modified maize seeds are also been adopted widely for specific needs like insect resistance and herbicide tolerance.

Maize is a staple food in many regions, particularly in America and Asia. As the global population expands, there will be a need to address the efficiency of maize seeds and improve their genetics for better yield and resistance to adverse conditions. Like any other agricultural market, maize seeds also face various challenges, like adverse climatic conditions, changing biodiversity and preferences, changing pests and diseases, and the need for sustainable practices.

Global Maize Seed Market Drivers:

The growing global population and livestock industry increase the demand for maize seeds

Consistent increase in global population, especially in developing countries, is driving the demand for more food production, which has led to high demand for maize as a staple crop. Preferences for specific corn products among consumers could also drive the demand for specific seed varieties of maize. Hence, higher and better maize yields along with improved seed varieties are needed, which is a potential long-term growth factor for maize seed market. Along with human consumption, maize is largely used for livestock feed as well. This drives the demand for improved maize seeds with higher nutritional content to fulfil livestock industry demand.

Biofuel production drives the need for maize seeds augmenting market size.

Maize finds use in industries to produce biofuel, particularly ethanol, which is an essential component in chemical and other industries. The government is also promoting the use of biofuels as a better and cleaner source of energy. These factors could heavily influence the demand for maize seeds, and increase the growth of the market.

Global Maize Seed Market Challenges:

Climate change, Environmental factors, and pests/diseases pressure could limit the growth of the maize seed market

Environmental challenges like changing weather patterns and extreme adverse conditions like droughts and floods negatively impacts the maize yield and cultivation, making the maize seed market go down. Unpredictable weather conditions adversely affect the maize yield and quality of maize seeds. Along with environmental issues, maize crops also get affected by diseases and pests, like fungi, virus and insects. Maize seeds with higher resistance and tolerance are needed to address such challenges.

Price fluctuations along with political and economic factors hinders the maize seed market from expanding

High cost or price fluctuations in agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and tools could impact the profitability of the maize seed market adversely. Market prices are also fluctuated due to barriers in trade between countries. The economic downturn, political instability, and trade disputes limit the flow and growth of the maize seed market, especially in areas that are dependent on exports and imports.

COVID-19 Impact on the Global Maize Seed Market:

The COVID-19 pandemic had various impacts on agriculture and the maize seed market. Lockdowns and restrictions disrupted the global supply chain leading to delays in production and shipment of maize seeds. Labor shortage affected the maize seed operations like planting, maintenance, and harvesting. Consumer and farmer behavior changes led to uncertainty and demand for staple crops mainly maize. International trade and transportation were disrupted which affected the movement of maize seeds and maize products. Various facilities faced restrictions in movement and access which led to delays in development and research activities. Regulatory and certification procedures faced delays affecting the approval of new maize seed varieties. Economic challenges impacted farmers’ conditions where they were unable to invest in quality maize seeds and had limited access to agricultural inputs like pesticides, fertilizers, and tools.

Global Maize Seed Market Recent Developments:

• In August 2023, CIMMYT announced the release of 32 new CIMMYT maize lines which are suitable for tropical and subtropical maize production environments, aiming to improve maize inbred lines for better yield, tolerance, and nutrition.

• In March 2023, The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in Japan approved a high-starch maize variety, which was created using genetic engineering. This maize variety had its waxy gene deleted to increase starch proportion for specific purposes.

• In November 2022, Chinese scientists cloned a mutant gene in wild maize, significantly increasing the protein content in maize. This could provide significant guidance in reducing the application of fertilizer for maize cultivation.

MAIZE SEED MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Global Maize Seed Market Segmentation: By Growth Habit

• Early-Maturing Varieties

• Full-Season Varieties

Early-maturing maize varieties require less time to reach maturity and have a shorter growing season, which can be harvested earlier. These are excellent for regions with cooler climates and high-altitude areas where a successful harvest can be done before weather conditions get adverse. Full-season maize varieties require more time to reach maturity and have a longer growing season. These are generally planted in warmer climate regions. Full-seasons varieties have more potential for higher yield because of the prolonged growth period, enhancing their vegetative and reproductive growth. Because of this reason, full-season varieties are the largest contributor to the maize seed market. While on the other hand, early-maturing variety is the fastest growing segment because of changing climate patterns that many regions could face, including shorter growing seasons and increased risk of early frost.

Global Maize Seed Market Segmentation: By End Use

• Human Consumption

• Animal Feed

• Industrial Uses

Maize is consumed as a vegetable and as processed food product as well by humans. Many products like canned corn, corn- based snacks, and corn floor are widely consumed globally, whereas sweet corn is consumed as a vegetable. For human consumption, maize seeds are selected for their taste, nutritional value and texture. Livestock and poultry rely heavily on maize, which is a crucial component of animal feed. For livestock feed, maize varieties having high energy content, digestibility and nutrition are selected. For industrial uses, maize is used in production of biofuels, corn syrup, starch, etc. Maize varieties have high starch content or specific chemical attributes are selected for industrial purpose. The largest segment among these is animal feed because of the high demand for livestock feed. This industry has a consistent requirement for maize as a staple ingredient in animal feed, as it provides high carbohydrates and energy. The fastest growing segment is Industrial use, due to increasing demand for biofuel. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, biofuels such as ethanol are in growing demand. Similarly, other maize products like bioplastics, starch, and sugars are also used widely in industries.

Global Maize Seed Market Segmentation: By Distribution Channel

• Direct Sales

• Agricultural Retailers and Distributors

• Online Retail

• Others

In the direct sales segment, maize seeds are directly sold to farmers, which could involve sales agents or representatives who will communicate closely with farmers. Agricultural retailers and distributors have a stock of a variety of seeds and brands. These retailers offer a one-stop shop for farmers and play a crucial role in the distribution of maize seeds along with other agricultural inputs. Online retail involves online stores and e-commerce platforms for selling maize seeds, where farmers can go through all the information about the seeds, and access a wide range of products. Other distribution channels include government agencies, seed fairs, and farmers’ groups. Agricultural retailers and distributors comprise the largest segment in this market, due to many reasons like convenience, accessibility, wide product range, expertise, support, and bulk purchasing. Online retail, is the fastest-growing segment because of the ever-increasing e-commerce growth, geographic reach, wide range of options, and doorstep delivery.

Global Maize Seed Market Segmentation: By Region

• North America

• Europe

• Asia-Pacific

• South America

• Middle East & Africa

North America, is a major maize-producing region known for its vast commercial maize cultivation for several purposes. Europe has a diverse maize cultivation background, for different purposes like animal feed, human consumption, and industrial uses. Asia-Pacific is also a significant producer of maize used for both animal feed and human consumption. South America is a well-established maize producer with countries like Brazil and Mexico cultivating maize as a staple food crop. Middle East and Africa produced maize using advanced irrigation methods for food and animal feed, because of the arid conditions in the region.

North America is the largest segment in the maize seed market cultivating various types of maize like field corn, and sweet corn. This region has extensive commercial agriculture and adoption of agriculture technologies. South America is the fastest-growing segment by region because of the expanding maize production, export, increasing livestock and poultry industries, and investments in biofuel production.

Global Maize Seed Market Key Players:

1. Syngenta

2. Monsanto (acquired by Bayer)

3. Dow AgroSciences (part of Corteva Agriscience)

4. Pioneer Hi-Bred International (part of Corteva Agriscience)

5. BASF SE

6. DuPont

7. Groupe Limagrain

8. KWS SAAT SE

9. Advanta Seeds (UPL Ltd.)

10. Land O'Lakes (WinField United)