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The Global Value of Biotech Crops affluent populations. A similar trend may
Pocket
Pocket Ks are Pockets of Knowledge,
K
also apply to the poorer and more
agriculturally based countries of Eastern packaged information on crop
In 2004, the global market value of biotech
Europe, which have recently joined the biotechnology products and related
crops was $4.70 billion, representing 15%
EU, and those expected to join in 2007 issues available at your fingertips. They
of the $32.5 billion global crop protection No. 16
are produced by the Global Knowledge
market in 2003, and 16% of the $30 and beyond. There were also signs of
Center on Crop Biotechnology
billion global commercial seed market. progress in the European Union in 2004,
(http://www.isaaa.org/kc). For more
The market value was based on the sale with the EU Commission approving, for
information, please contact the
price of biotech seed and any technology import, two events in biotech maize (Bt 11 International Service for the Acquisition
fees that applied. For 2005, the global and NK603), and 17 maize varieties, with of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA)
value of the biotech crop market is insect resistance conferred by MON 810, SEAsiaCenter c/o IRRI, DAPO Box 7777,
projected at $5 million or more. for food and feed. Taking all factors into Metro Manila, Philippines.
account, the outlook for 2010 points to Tel: +63 2 8450563 Global Status
continued growth in the global hectarage Fax: +63 2 8450606
of Commercialized
Future Prospects of biotech crops, up to 150 million E-mail: knowledge.center@isaaa.org
hectares, with up to 15 million farmers
First Printing, January 2005
Biotech/GM Crops
growing biotech crops in up to 30
On a global basis, there is cause for
countries. in 2004
cautious optimism, with the global area
and the number of farmers planting biotech
crops expected to continue to grow in
2005 and beyond. The global number and
proportion of small farmers from develop- Reference
ing countries growing biotech crops is
expected to increase significantly to meet James, C. 2004. Preview: Global Status of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: FOR THE ACQUISITION Global Knowledge Center
their food/feed crop requirements and meat OF AGRI-BIOTECH
demands of their burgeoning and more 2004. ISAAA Briefs No. 32. Ithaca, NY APPLICATIONS on Crop Biotechnology
Distribution of Biotech Crops in Industrial and Developing Countries Distribution of Biotech Crops, Table 2. Global Area of Biotech Crops in
2003 and 2004: by Country
by Country (Million Hectares)
Figure 2 shows the relative area Figure 2. Global Area of Biotech Crops, 1996 to
Country 2003 2004
of biotech crops in industrial and 2004: Industrial and Developing There were 14 countries planting 50,000 hectares
developing countries from 1996-
Countries (Million Hectares) or more to biotech crops in 2004 (See Table 2). USA* 42.8 47.6
2004. In 2004, more than one These mega-countries included the USA, Argentina* 13.9 16.2
third of the global biotech crop Argentina, Canada, Brazil, China, Paraguay, Canada* 4.4 5.4
area, equivalent to 27.6 million 60
India, South Africa, Uruguay, Australia, Romania,
Industrial Brazil* 3.0 5.0
hectares, was grown in Mexico, Spain, and the Philippines, reflecting a China* 2.8 3.7
developing countries. While a 50 Developing more balanced and stabilized participation of a Paraguay* –– 1.2
substantial share (66%) is grown broader group of countries adopting biotech
40 India* 0.1 0.5
in industrial countries, the crops. South Africa* 0.4 0.5
proportion of biotech crops 30 Uruguay* 0.1 0.3
grown in developing countries India had the highest percentage year-on-year Australia* 0.1 0.2
has increased consistently every 20
growth in 2004, with an increase of 400% in Bt Romania* <0.1 0.1
year, with continued strong cotton area over 2003, followed by Uruguay Mexico* <0.1 0.1
10
growth reported by China, India, (200%), Australia (100%), Brazil (66%), China Spain* <0.1 0.1
and the Philippines in Asia; as 0 (32%), South Africa (25%), Canada (23%), Philippines* <0.1 0.1
well as by Argentina, Brazil, and 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Argentina (17%), and the USA at 11%. Colombia <0.1 <0.1
Mexico, plus Uruguay and Honduras <0.1 <0.1
Paraguay in Latin America; and Source: Clive James, 2004. In 2004, for the first time, Paraguay reported 1.2 Germany <0.1 <0.1
South Africa on the African million hectares of biotech soybean, equivalent
continent. The percentage growth TOTAL 67.7 81.0
to 60% of its national soybean hectarage of 2
was almost three times as high (35%) in the developing countries of the South, compared to that million hectares. Bulgaria and Indonesia did not Source: Clive James, 2004.
of the industrial countries of the North (13%). * Biotech mega-countries which grew more than
report biotech maize and cotton, respectively in
50,000 hectares, or more, of biotech crops in 2004.
2004 due to expiry of permits.
commercially in the USA, Argentina, Bt Cotton 4.5 6% 2004, 56% of the 86 million hectares of 140 Non-transgenic 143
Brazil, Paraguay, Canada, Uruguay, Herbicide tolerant Maize 4.3 5% soybean planted globally were biotech - 120 Transgenic
Romania, South Africa, and Mexico. Herbicide tolerant Canola 4.3 5% up from 55% in 2003, despite an 100
Bt/Herbicide tolerant Maize 3.8 4% increase in the global area of soybean 86
Bt/Herbicide tolerant Cotton 3.0 4% 80
The second most dominant crop was from 76 million hectares in 2003 to 86
Herbicide tolerant Cotton 1.5 2% 60
Bt maize, which occupied 11.2 mha, million hectares in 2004. Of the 32
equivalent to 14% of the global TOTAL 81.0 100% million hectares of cotton, 28% or 9.0 40 32
23
biotech crop area. It was grown Source: Clive James, 2004. million hectares were planted to biotech 20
commercially in the USA, Argentina, cotton in 2004. The area planted to 0
Canada, South Africa, Spain, the biotech canola, expressed on a 56% 28% 19% 14%
Philippines, Uruguay, Honduras, and Colombia. This is equivalent to 6% of the percentage basis, increased from 16% in Soybean Cotton Canola Maize
Germany. global biotech area. 2003 to 19% or 4.3 million hectares of
canola planted globally in 2004. Source: Clive James, 2004.
The third most dominant crop was Bt Global Adoption of Biotech Soybean, Similarly, of the 143 million hectares of
cotton, which was grown over 4.5 million Maize, Cotton, and Canola maize planted in 2004, 14% was of these four crops are aggregated, the total
hectares in eight countries, listed in order Another way to provide a global perspective planted to biotech maize, up area is 284 million hectares, of which
of hectarage; China, India, Australia, USA, of the status of biotech crops is to significantly from 11% in 2003. If the 29%, were biotech - up significantly from
Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, and characterize the global adoption rates as a global areas (conventional and biotech) 25% in 2003.