Global GM Crop Area Review
February 2024

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Contents
Page
Contents

2

Glossary of Terms

4

Key Data

5

GM Crop Area in 2023

6

GM Adoption

7

North America

8

USA

8

Canada11

Central & South America

12Brazil12

Argentina

14

Paraguay

15

Bolivia

16

Uruguay

17

Colombia

18

Honduras

19

Mexico

20

Chile

21

Asia Pacific

21

India

22

China

23

Pakistan

24

Australia

25

Philippines

26

Myanmar27

Vietnam28

Bangladesh

29

Indonesia

30

2Global GM Crop Area Review

Contents Continued
Page
Europe

31

Spain

31

Portugal

32

Rest of World

33

South Africa

33

Sudan

35

Ethiopia

36

Kenya

37

Nigeria37

Disclaimer

38

3

Global GM Crop Area Review

Glossary of Terms
Term

Description% GM utilisation

Proportion of the overall crop area that GM represents

Agricultural year

July 1st – June 30th to capture both northern and southernhemisphere plantings

Alfalfa

Also known as lucerne. Species Medicago sativa

Brinjal

Also known as aubergine/eggplant. Species Solanum melongena

CanolaVariety of oilseed rape. Species Brassica napus

CottonSpecies Gossypium hirsutum

Cow Pea

Also known as black-eyed pea. Species Vigna unguiculata

Genetic event

Identifying code name given to a specific GM trait

GM adoption

Proportion of the overall crop area that GM represents

HectareUnit of area equivalent to 10,000 m² (1 Ha = 2.471 acres)

Herbicide tolerance

Tolerance to specific herbicide active ingredients

Insect resistanceResistance to specific insect pests

Maize

Also known as corn. Species Zea mays

Marketing Year

Period designated for reporting of production, marketing, anddisposition of a commodity

Rice

Species Oryza sativa

SoybeanSpecies Glycine max

Stacked gene

Combination of herbicide tolerance and insect resistance traits

Sugarcane

Species Saccharum officinarum

Wheat

Species Triticum aestivum

4

Global GM Crop Area Review

Key Data
Global GM Crop Area Historical
Year
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023

GM Area (Ha m.)
170.1
178.5
176.3
179.7
186.5
185.9
185.9
188.7
195.7
202.5
206.3

% Change
4.2
4.9
-1.2
1.9
3.8
-0.4
0.0
1.5
3.7
3.4
1.9

Global GM Crop Area by Crop 2023
Crop
Alfalfa
BrinjalCanolaCottonMaize
Rice
Soybean
Sugar beet
Sugarcane
Wheat
Total

GM Area (Ha m.)
1.2
0.00
10.2
24.1
69.3
0.05
100.9
0.5
0.06
0.04

% Change
5.0
-12.5
2.9
-5.5
4.5
22.2
1.9
-3.5
9.3
-17.6

% Share
0.6
0.00
5.0
11.7
33.6
0.0
48.9
0.2
0.03
0.02

206.3

1.9

100.0

GM Area (Ha m.)
74.4
66.9
23.1
12.1
11.5
4.3
3.3
2.8
2.3
1.5
4.1

% Change
-0.4
5.9
-1.4
-2.3
1.5
8.2
3.6
-7.9
33.3
7.0
-1.8

% Share
36.1
32.4
11.2
5.9
5.6
2.1
1.6
1.3
1.1
0.7
2.0

206.3

1.9

100.0

GM Crop Area by Leading Country 2023
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Na

CountryUSA
BrazilArgentina
India
CanadaParaguay
South Africa
China
Pakistan
Bolivia
OthersTotal

5

Global GM Crop Area Review

GM Crop Area in 2023
In 2023, the global area under GM crops increased 1.9% over the previous year to reach 206.3
million hectares, a new record area. 27 countries cultivated a range of 11 different GM crops, withsoybean the most widely planted at 100.9 million hectares, the first time the crop has exceeded 100
million hectares. Following soybean is maize at 69.3 million hectares, and cotton at 24.1 million
hectares.
The number of countries cultivating GM crops has varied since the first introduction of GM varieties
in 1996, due in part to several European countries ceasing the cultivation of GM maize, as well theend of planting of GM cotton in Burkina Faso. 27 countries have cultivated GM crops since 2020, thisnumber was also achieved in 2015.

Number of GM Crop Cultivating Countries by Year
30
25
20
15
10
5

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

0

The map below shows the area change in 2023, on a country level basis, compared to the previous
year.

Changes in GM Crop Area 2023**Green = Growth, Yellow = Static, Red = Decline

206.3 million Hectares (+1.9%)

6

Global GM Crop Area Review

The greatest changes in area, excluding countries cultivating less than 100,000 hectares, were seen
in Pakistan (+33.3%), Vietnam (+22.2%), Paraguay (+8.2%) and Bolivia (+7.0%), driven by a
combination of greater overall planted areas and higher adoption rates. The largest declines in GM
area were seen in Myanmar (-36.7%), China (-7.9%), Philippines (-3.4%), Australia (-3.1%) and India(-2.3%).

GM Adoption
The table and bar charts below show the rate of global adoption of each crop. Cotton contains thehighest rate of GM % utilisation at 76.0% of the world’s total cotton area, followed by soybean at
72.4%, maize at 34.0% and canola at 24.0%. Following this, the rate of global adoption falls away
quickly.

Global Adoption of GM Crops
Crop
CottonSoybean
Maize
CanolaSugar beet
Alfalfa
Sugarcane
BrinjalRice
Wheat

GM Area (Ha m.)
24.1
100.9
69.3
10.2
0.5
1.2
0.06
0.003
0.05
0.04

Total Area (Ha m.)
31.7
139.4
203.5
42.5
4.3
35.0
26.1
1.9
165.1
222.7

GM % Share
76.0
72.4
34.0
24.0
11.0
3.4
0.2
0.2
0.03
0.02

206.26872.16

23.7

Total

Global Adoption of GM Crops (%)
100.0
90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0

CottonSoybean

Maize

Canola Sugar beet

7

Alfalfa

Sugarcane

Brinjal

Rice

Wheat

Global GM Crop Area Review

North America
At the regional level, North America holds the 2nd largest GM crop area after Central and SouthAmerica, with a total of 85.9 million hectares planted in 2023, a fall of 0.1% from 2022. Prior to 2019,
North America was the leading region in terms of GM planted area, however, a combination ofsevere weather impacting planting in the US and Canada in 2019, and Brazil continually increasing its
planted area, has resulted in North America losing its leading position. The USA is the largest GM
crop area in North America, with a cultivated area 6.5 times the size of Canada’s. In North America,
maize is the most important GM crop, with the USA typically the world’s leading exporter of
harvested maize, although Brazil is now contesting that title.

North America GM Crop Area by Country 2023
Country
USA
CanadaGM Area (Ha m.)
74.4
11.5

% Change-0.4
1.5% Share
86.6
13.4

Total

85.9

-0.1

100.0

USA
Area in 2023: 74.4 Ha m. (-0.4%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Alfalfa (2011), Canola (1999), Cotton (1996), Maize (1996),
Soybean (1996), Sugar beet (2005)
The US possesses the world’s largest GM crop area, although it fell by 0.4% in 2023 because of
declines in cotton, soybean and sugar beet which were not offset by greater areas of the remaining
crops.

USA GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Alfalfa
CanolaCottonMaize
Soybean
Sugar beet
Total

GM Area (Ha m.)
1.2
0.9
4.0
35.7
32.1
0.5

% Change
5.0
6.2
-24.1
7.1
-4.4
-2.3

74.4

-0.4

The rate of adoption of GM crop varieties is effectively mature in the USA, with all GM crops apartfrom alfalfa having greater than 90% adoption in 2023. As a result, US GM crop areas now generally
track the changes in total planted areas (conventional + GM). The graph below shows the historicaladoption rates of GM crops in the USA.

8

Global GM Crop Area Review

US GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Alfalfa

CanolaCottonMaize

Soybean

Sugar beet

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

0

The USA possesses the largest GM maize area in the world at 35.7 million hectares in 2023, forming
51.5% of the global GM maize area. The US first planted GM maize varieties in 1996, and since thattime adoption rates have quickly risen. One key trend since 2000 has been the transition away fromthe use of single traits (insect resistance or herbicide tolerance) towards stacked gene varieties(insect resistance and herbicide tolerance). In 2000, stacked gene varieties formed only 1% of thetotal US maize area, while in 2023 this has risen to 82%.

US Total Maize Area by Technology (%)
Insect Resistant

Herbicide Tolerant

Stacked Gene

Conventional

100
80
60
40
20
0

The GM cotton area in the USA amounted to 4.0 million hectares in 2023, falling back from the nearrecord levels seen the year prior. The largest US GM cotton area on record was in 2011 when the
country planted 5.4 million hectares of GM cotton. The US GM cotton area fell in line with the total
cotton area as result of poor productivity in the prior year because of drought and fallinginternational cotton trading prices. The USA planted its first GM cotton varieties in 1996, and since2011 more than 90% of the total US cotton area has been planted with GM varieties. As with maize,
the proportion of the US cotton area planted with stacked gene varieties has been growing, forming
20% of the area in 2000 and 86% in 2023.

9

Global GM Crop Area Review

US Total Cotton Area by Technology (%)
Insect Resistant

Herbicide Tolerant

Stacked Gene

Conventional

100
80
60
40
20
0

The US cultivates the world’s 2nd largest GM soybean area after Brazil, totalling 32.1 million
hectares in 2023. At this level, the US GM soybean area forms 31.9% of the global GM soybean area.
The US planted its first GM soybean varieties in 1996, with adoption rising to mature levels within
the first 10 years of commercialisation. Unlike maize and cotton, GM soybean in the USA possesses
only herbicide tolerance. However, GM soybean varieties utilise a wider range of herbicide tolerant
technologies such as glyphosate, glufosinate, dicamba, 2,4-D and isoxaflutole tolerance traits.
GM canola is only cultivated in the USA, Canada, and Australia, with the USA planting 0.9 million
hectares in 2023. There are no commercial plantings of GM rapeseed in the world. In the USA, GM
canola varieties possessing either glyphosate or glufosinate herbicide tolerance are cultivated.
The US cultivates small areas of other GM crops including sugar beet and alfalfa. GM sugar beet was
launched in 2005; however, due to regulatory issues, GM sugar beet varieties were removed fromthe market until 2008, when adoption reached 59% of the total US sugar beet area in its first year offull deployment. GM sugar beet possesses only glyphosate herbicide tolerance. GM alfalfa was thelast GM field crop to be commercialised in the US, being deployed in 2005. GM alfalfa commonly
utilises glyphosate herbicide tolerance, while some varieties have been modified to contain reduced
levels of lignin.

10

Global GM Crop Area Review

CanadaArea in 2023: 11.5 Ha m. (+1.5%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Canola (1996), Maize (1998), Soybean (1997), Sugar beet (2010)
Canda has the world’s 5th largest GM crop area. The GM crop area in Canada increased by 1.5% in
2023 due to a rise in the canola and soybean areas. The Canadian GM maize area declined by 5.0%
as a result of a decline in GM % utilisation, which fell from 91.0% to 88.0%.

Canada GM Crop Area 2023
Year
CanolaMaize
Soybean
Sugar beet

GM Area (Ha m.)
8.4
1.3
1.8
0.0

% Change
1.5
-5.0
6.8
-31.6

11.5

1.5

Total

Canada holds the world largest GM canola area by a significant margin over the USA and Australia,
the only other two countries cultivating GM canola. In 2023, Canada planted 8.4 million hectares ofGM canola, a rise of 1.5% over the previous year.

Canada GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Canola100

Maize

Soybean

Sugar beet

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

0

GM canola was first commercialised in Canada in 1996, and since 2009 the % utilisation has
remained in excess of 90%. The GM canola area is exclusively herbicide tolerant, with no insect
resistance traits utilised. Herbicide tolerance is achieved using either glufosinate or glyphosate
tolerance.
Following canola, Canada cultivates significantly smaller areas of its remaining GM crops. In 2023,
Canada planted 1.8 million hectares of soybean (+6.8%), 1.3 million hectares of maize (-5.0%), and
0.013 million hectares of sugar beet (-31.6%).

11

Global GM Crop Area Review

Central and South America
At the regional level, Central and South America possesses the largest GM crop area at 97.3 million
hectares in 2023 (2022/23 agricultural year). Plantings increased by 4.1% over the previous year,
driven by a 5.9% rise in area in Brazil; in volume terms this was 3.7 million hectares. Central andSouth America overtook North America as the greatest cultivator of GM crops in 2019, due in part tothe evolution of the Brazilian GM crop area. Brazil has rapidly expanded its GM crop area to now
form almost 69% of the region’s GM crop area. Following Brazil, Argentina represents the next
leading country in the region, with 23.8% of the GM planted area. After Brazil and Argentina, the sizeof the GM crop areas in the remaining countries falls away quickly, with 3rd-placed Paraguay
representing only 4.4% of the region’s GM crop area. In Central and South America, soybean is thedominant crop, representing 67.6% of the region’s GM crop area.

Central and South America GM Crop Area by Country 2023
Country
BrazilArgentina
Paraguay
Bolivia
Uruguay
Colombia
Honduras
Chile
MexicoTotal

GM Area (Ha m.)
66.9
23.1
4.3
1.5
1.2
0.2
0.1
0.01
0.01

% Change
5.9
-1.4
8.2
7.0
2.3
4.4
5.8
33.7
-37.5

% Share
68.8
23.8
4.4
1.5
1.3
0.2
0.1
0.01
0.01

97.3

4.1

100

BrazilArea in 2023: 66.9 Ha m. (+5.9%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Cotton (2006), Maize (2008), Soybean (2003), Sugarcane (2019)
Brazil currently holds the world’s second-largest GM crop area after the USA. The GM crop area in
Brazil increased 5.9% in 2023 (2022/23 agricultural year), driven by greater areas of all GM crops.
GM areas of these crops increased through a combination of greater total planted areas, and in thecase of maize, a rise in GM % utilisation from 95.0% to 97.0%.

Brazil GM Crop Area 2023
Year
CottonMaize
Soybean
Sugarcane
Total

GM Area (Ha m.)
1.6
21.6
43.6
0.04

% Change
4.0
5.4
6.2
2.4

66.9

5.9

12

Global GM Crop Area Review

Brazil GM Adoption by Crop (%)
100

CottonMaize

Soybean

Sugarcane

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Brazil cultivates the world’s largest GM soybean area at 43.6 million hectares in 2023, a rise of 6.2%
over the previous year. GM soybean was launched in the country in 2003, six years behind the USA,and adoption steadily increased to reach more than 90% of the country’s total soybean area in 2014.
Brazil is the greatest adopter of stacked gene soybeans that possess both herbicide tolerance andinsect resistance, which protects against specific lepidopteran insect pests. Stacked gene varieties
were first commercialised in 2012 and now form the majority of the soybean area in Brazil.
GM maize was commercialised in Brazil in 2008, more than ten years after the USA. However, sincethat time adoption rates have increased significantly, with 97% of the total Brazilian maize area
being planted with GM varieties in 2023. 2023 saw another increase in % utilisation, rising from 95%
in 2022 to the current level of 97%. Brazil cultivates three maize plantings per season, with the
majority of GM plantings occurring in the second season crop. As with soybean, most of the GM
maize cultivated in the country are varieties that contain stacked gene traits, possessing bothherbicide tolerance and insect resistance.
GM cotton was first adopted in Brazil in 2006; however it has only been in recent years that the GM% utilisation rate reached maturity. In 2023, the GM cotton area grew by 4.0% to reach 1.6 million
hectares, a record area. Brazil’s total cotton area has been increasing in recent years, now 48.5%
greater than the level cultivated 10 years ago. As a result of strong GM % utilisation (99% in 2023),
the area under GM varieties has greatly improved from the overall demand for Brazilian produced
cotton. Almost all GM cotton varieties grown in Brazil possess stacked genes for both herbicide
tolerance and insect resistance.
Brazil commercialised GM sugarcane in 2019, although it is cultivated on a small area, only forming
0.5% of the country’s total sugarcane area. GM sugarcane in Brazil is insect resistant, with varieties
either utilising the Cry1Ab or Cry1Ac genes to control key lepidopteran insect pests.

13

Global GM Crop Area Review

Argentina
Area in 2023: 23.1 Ha m. (-1.4%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Cotton (1999), Maize (1998), Soybean (1997), Wheat (2022)
Argentina possesses the world’s 3rd-largest GM crop area, and the second-largest in South America
after Brazil. The Argentinean GM crop area fell 1.4% in 2023 (2022/23 agricultural year), principally
as a result of a fall in the GM maize area (-13.4%).

Argentina GM Crop Area 2023
Year
CottonMaize
Soybean
Wheat

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.4
6.7
16.0
0.04

% Change
-13.4
-5.4
0.8
-17.56

Total

23.1

-1.4

Soybean is the main GM crop in Argentina with 16.0 million hectares planted in 2023, a rise of 0.8%
over the previous year. However, not all of this crop was from a commercial source. As commercial
soybean is a non-hybrid crop, growers may save the seed and replant it to generate another crop.
The difficulties in controlling intellectual property in the country has led to multinational seed
companies either limiting their financial exposure to the Argentinean soybean seed market or exiting
it completely. GM soybean was commercialised in Argentina in 1997 and reached +90% utilisation
within five years. Argentina is the second-greatest adopter of stacked gene soybean varieties after
Brazil, with commercialisation occurring in 2014, two years after Brazil.

Argentina GM Adoption by Crop (%)
100

CottonMaize

Soybean

Wheat

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Despite the country planting only 6.7 million hectares of GM maize in 2023 (-5.4%), Argentina is theworld’s 3rd-largest GM maize area after the USA and Brazil. Adoption of GM maize varieties
happened at a slower rate than in other crops as it took 14 years to reach +90% utilisation. Almost
the entire maize area in Argentina is now planted with GM varieties, typically stacked gene varieties.
In 2023, % utilisation increased 0.2% to reach 99.8% of the country’s total maize area.

14

Global GM Crop Area Review

GM cotton was first planted in Argentina in 1999, although adoption rates were low in the first 5
years of commercialisation at less than 10%. It was not until 2003 when adoption increased rapidly
to reach more than 90% of the total cotton area. As with soybean and maize, the majority of GM
cotton cultivated in the country are stacked gene varieties.
Argentina was the first country in the world to launch GM wheat, with 53,000 hectares of HB4
planted in 2022, representing 0.8% of the country’s total wheat area. However, the area planted fell
17.6% to 43,660 hectares in 2023. This GM wheat was developed by Argentinian seed company
Bioceres to possess glufosinate herbicide tolerance and drought tolerance. HB4 wheat is cultivatedin a closed loop system, with seed or flour not being openly offered to growers. HB4 wheat has been
approved for cultivation in Brazil but has not yet been commercialised.

Paraguay
Area in 2023: 4.3 Ha m. (+8.2%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Cotton (2011), Maize (2012), Soybean (2004)
The GM crop area in Paraguay is dominated by soybean at 83.1% of the country’s total GM area. As
a result, changes in the country’s total GM area are dictated by what is occurring in soybean.

Paraguay GM Crop Area 2023
Year
CottonMaize
Soybean

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.04
0.7
3.6

% Change
309.1
18.9
5.4

Total

4.3

8.2

The GM soybean area in Paraguay grew by 5.4% in 2023, driven by a higher total soybean planted
area. GM soybean was launched in the country in 2004 and saw strong adoption in its first year (60%of the total soybean area). The soybean area in Paraguay is comparatively low, resulting in lower
volumes of GM seed required to facilitate high adoption levels. Soybean production is focussed in
the east of the country, mainly along the border with Argentina and Brazil; as a result, the availabilityof GM seed from both countries was high. GM % adoption reached mature levels in 2006, only two
years after first launch, and has remained above 90% since that time. As with Brazil and Argentina,
the majority of the GM area is planted with stacked gene varieties.

15

Global GM Crop Area Review

Paraguay GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Cotton100

Maize

Soybean

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

In 2023, the GM maize area grew by 18.9% to reach 0.7 million hectares, a record area. GM maize
was introduced in 2011 with an initial adoption rate of 40%; adoption was high in the first year forthe same reasons as soybean. It has been reported that Paraguay sourced approximately 80.0% of
its GM maize seed from Argentina. Following initial introduction, adoption rates did not rise with any
significance; however, from 2021 adoption has increased. In 2023, adoption increased from 52.0% toreach 80.0% of the total Paraguayan maize area. Stacked gene varieties form the majority of the GM
maize cultivated.
GM cotton was the last GM crop to be commercialised in Paraguay, in 2011. In 2023, almost 45,000
hectares were planted, a rise of 309.1% over the previous year. The high single-year growth rate is a
product of the comparatively low area the crop is cultivated on. Adoption in the first year of
deployment was high at 45.0%, and within four years reached 99.9% of the total cotton area.

Bolivia
Area in 2023: 1.5 Ha m. (+7.0%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Soybean (2008)
Soybean is the only GM crop cultivated in Bolivia. In 2023, the area increased 7.0% over the previous
year, although adoption fell by 2.9 percentage points from 99.9% to 97.0% of the country’s totalsoybean area. GM soybean was launched in 2008 with an initially high adoption rate of 63.0%, withthis quickly growing to greater than 90.0%. Unlike Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, Bolivia does notcultivate stacked gene varieties, instead only planting varieties possessing herbicide tolerance.

Bolivia GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Soybean

GM Area (Ha m.)
1.5% Change
7.0

Total

1.5

7.0

16

Global GM Crop Area Review

Bolivia GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Soybean

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Uruguay
Area in 2023: 1.2 Ha m. (+2.3%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Maize (2003), Soybean (2000)
The GM crop area in Uruguay increased by 2.3% in 2023, driven by a rise in the soybean area that
more than offset a lower GM maize area. Soybean is the dominant GM crop in the country with aplanted area of 11.5 times the size of its GM maize area.

Uruguay GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Maize
Soybean

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.1
1.1% Change
-35.1
7.7

Total

1.2

2.3

The Uruguayan GM soybean area increased 7.7% in 2023 to reach 1.1 million hectares, driven by agreater total soybean area. GM % utilisation fell in 2023, declining from 99.0% to 98.0% of thecountry’s total soybean area. GM soybean was launched in 2000 and within four years essentiallycovered the entire Uruguayan soybean area. While Uruguay cultivates stacked gene varieties, these
represent less than half of the country’s GM soybean area, a different situation to other SouthAmerican countries that cultivate stacked gene varieties.
GM maize was launched three years after soybean, in 2003. Uruguay cultivates a small total maize
area. As a result, despite an adoption level of 98.5%, GM maize only covered 0.1 million hectares in
2023, a fall of 35.1% from the previous year. Just over half of the GM maize area is planted withstacked gene varieties, with the majority of the remaining area being planted with insect resistantvarieties.

17

Global GM Crop Area Review

Uruguay GM Adoption by Crop (%)
100

Maize

Soybean

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Colombia
Area in 2023: 0.15 Ha m. (4.4%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Cotton (2002), Maize (2007)
Colombia cultivated 152,000 hectares of GM crops in 2023, a rise of 4.4% over the previous year.
The country’s largest GM crop, maize, declined 2.6% from the previous year. Not all of Colombia
cultivates GM crops, with adoption focussed in the north of the country at the state level.

Colombia GM Crop Area 2023
Year
CottonMaize

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.02
0.13

% Change
137.5
-2.6

Total

0.15

4.4

GM maize was first cultivated in Colombia in 2007. Since that time, adoption rates have increased
slowly, rising to reach only 35.5% of the country’s total maize area. Colombia sources its GM maize
seeds from Brazil, as well as smaller volumes from Honduras. In 2023, the majority of the GM maize
area was planted with stacked gene varieties.
GM cotton was the first GM crop to be cultivated in the country, and while adoption rates are high,due to the low overall cotton area, GM cotton areas are small at 17,100 hectares in 2023. Stacked
gene varieties were first introduced in 2007 and now form the majority of the planted area, with
Bollgard and Roundup Ready being the only traits approved for cultivation. Colombia imports its GM
cotton seeds from the US.
In 2010, the country approved the cultivation of GM soybean, however, no commercial plantings
have yet occurred.

18

Global GM Crop Area Review

Colombia GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Cotton

100

Maize

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Honduras
Area in 2023: 0.055 Ha m. (+5.8%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Maize (2007)
Honduras first cultivated GM maize in 2007, although utilisation remains low at 16.2% of thecountry’s total maize area, representing 55,000 hectares in 2023. GM % utilisation increased by 0.9
percentage points to 16.2% in 2023. As with many countries, stacked gene varieties form the
majority of the GM planted area.

Honduras GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Maize

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.055% Change
5.8

Total

0.055

5.8

Honduras GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Maize

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10

19

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

0

Global GM Crop Area Review

MexicoArea in 2023: 0.01 Ha m. (-37.5%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Cotton (1998)
Mexico was one of the first countries to commercialise GM cotton, as far back as 1998. While thecountry saw peak GM cotton areas of 171,000 hectares in 2014, from 2019 the area has significantly
declined.

Mexico GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Cotton

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.010% Change
-37.5

Total

0.010

-37.5

The Mexican government has taken an anti-GM and glyphosate stance, having ceased importapprovals for grains containing GM traits in 2018, and intending on phasing out the use of theherbicide glyphosate by 2024. The Mexican and US governments have recently debated Mexico’s
desire to restrict maize imports from the US that came from GM maize production, however, thisposition has softened slightly with GM derived grain to be used only in animal feed. However, thetwo countries have not yet reached an agreement. As part of this anti-GM standpoint, Mexico has
also not approved any permit applications for cultivation of cotton since 2019, resulting in the
reduced availability of GM cotton seeds and a significant decline in adoption rates.

Mexico GM Adoption by Crop (%)
100

Cotton

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

20

Global GM Crop Area Review

ChileArea in 2023: 0.0126 Ha m. (+33.7%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): NA
Chile does not cultivate GM crops commercially; however, the country allows the propagation of GM
seeds for export markets. Typically, GM seed stock is imported from the USA, reproduced andmultiplied, and then exported to the USA and Canada.

Chile GM Crop Area 2023
Year

GM Area (Ha m.)% Change

CanolaMaize
Soybean

0.00730.00410.0012

105.8
-10.8
-7.2

Total

0.0126

33.7

Asia Pacific
The total GM crop area in Asia Pacific is significantly smaller than those in the Americas, amounting
to 19.5 million hectares in 2023. At present, India forms the majority (61.9%) of the region’s GM
planted area. At the crop level, cotton is the dominant GM crop accounting for more than 90.8% of
the region’s total GM area.

Asia Pacific GM Crop Area by Country 2023
Country
India
China
Pakistan
Australia
Philippines
Vietnam
MyanmarIndonesia
Bangladesh
Total

GM Area (Ha m.)
12.1
2.8
2.3
1.4
0.6
0.2
0.1
0.02
0.003

% Change
-2.3
-7.9
33.3
-3.1
-3.4
22.2
-36.7
26.6
-12.5

% Share
61.9
14.1
11.7
7.3
3.2
1.1
0.6
0.1
0.0

19.5

-0.2

100.0

21

Global GM Crop Area Review

IndiaArea in 2023: 12.1 Ha m. (-2.3%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Cotton (2002)
India possesses the world’s 4th-largest GM crop area, and the largest in Asia. Despite being theranked 4th in world in terms of GM crop area, the country only cultivates one GM crop, cotton. The
country cultivated the world’s largest GM cotton area in 2023, at 12.1 million hectares, a fall of 2.3%
from the previous year. The first GM cotton varieties were commercialised in 2002, and were mainly
Bollgard-based varieties; however, since 2015 the country has almost exclusively cultivated varieties
containing the Bollgard II trait. India does not commercially cultivate any herbicide tolerant or
stacked gene varieties, instead focusing solely on insect resistance.
While only GM cotton has been approved for cultivation there are reports of other GM crops being
cultivated illegally. Bt brinjal (aubergine/eggplant) seed reportedly arrives from Bangladesh, whileherbicide tolerant soybean cultivation may be occurring in several states.

India GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Cotton

GM Area (Ha m.)
12.1% Change
-2.3

Total

12.1

-2.3

GM adoption rates reached +90% in the first ten years of commercialisation and have remained at
95% of the total cotton area since 2014.

India GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Cotton

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10

22

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

0

Global GM Crop Area Review

ChinaArea in 2023: 2.8 Ha m. (-7.9%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Cotton (1998)
China possesses Asia’s second-largest GM cotton area after India. The first GM varieties werecommercialised in 1998, and since 2013 adoption levels have exceeded 90% of the country’s total
cotton area. The total cotton area in China has gradually fallen in recent years as the Chinese
government has moved to focus cotton cultivation in the west of the country. It is estimated that
more than 77% of the country’s GM cotton is planted with Bt varieties developed by the Chinese
Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).

China GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Cotton

GM Area (Ha m.)
2.8% Change
-7.9

Total

2.8

-7.9

Rates of adoption increased rapidly following commercialisation in 1998; however, GM % utilisation
stagnated between 2004 and 2011, before rising again and reaching its current plateau of 95% of thetotal cotton area.

China GM Adoption by Crop (%)
100

Cotton

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

In recent years China has approved the cultivation of GM maize and soybean, although at present
the technology is in late-stage commercial trials. It was estimated that China planted 267,000
hectares of GM maize as part of commercial trials in 2023, with this area expanding to a reported
670,000 hectares in 2024. Once fully commercialised, it is expected that GM maize will grow to cover
the majority of the country’s ~43 million hectares of maize. Once peak adoption has been realised, it
is likely that China will cultivate the world’s largest GM maize area.

23

Global GM Crop Area Review

Pakistan
Area in 2023: 2.3 Ha m. (+33.3%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Cotton (2010)
Pakistan planted 2.3 million hectares of GM cotton in 2023, a rise of 33.3% over the previous year.
The area increased through recovery from a flood impacted area in 2022.

Pakistan GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Cotton

GM Area (Ha m.)
2.3% Change
33.3

Total

2.3

33.3

Pakistan does not cultivate any varieties possessing herbicide tolerance, instead planting those with
only insect resistance. The majority of the GM area is planted Bollgard varieties with a single insect
resistance gene, although some dual gene varieties have been developed by the Centre of Excellencein Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab (CEMB). Seed companies are reportedly reluctant tocommercialise new GM technology in the country due to lack of IP protection and regulatory
uncertainty, leading to technology stagnation.
GM cotton was first launched in 2010, instantly attaining high adoption rates. Since 2016, GM
adoption has remained approximately 95% of the country’s total cotton area.

Pakistan GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Cotton

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

24

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Global GM Crop Area Review

Australia
Area in 2023: 1.4 Ha m. (-3.1%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Canola (2008), Cotton (1996)
Australia planted 1.4 million hectares of GM crops in 2023, with 65.4% planted with canola.

Australia GM Crop Area 2023
Year
CanolaCotton

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.9
0.5% Change
12.2
-22.9

Total

1.4

-3.1

Australia planted its first GM canola products in 2008 following the lifting of cultivation restrictions
in New South Wales and Victoria. This was followed in 2010 by Western Australia and 2020 by South
Australia. Western Australia now represents the state with the largest GM canola area, with over
70% of the country’s total GM canola area. In the 15 years since first commercialisation, national
adoption has remained below 30%, primarily due to the competition from the high utilisation of
non-GM herbicide tolerant technologies such as Clearfield (imidazolinone tolerance).

Australia GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Canola100

Cotton

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

0

Almost the entire Australian cotton area is planted with GM varieties, with 99.9% adoption
effectively since 2014. Bayer’s Bollgard 3 XtendFlex forms the majority of the GM planted area, withthe remainder planted with Roundup Ready and Liberty Link varieties.

25

Global GM Crop Area Review

Philippines
Area in 2023: 0.62 Ha m. (-3.4%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Maize (2004), Rice (2022)
The planted area of GM crops in the Philippines declined by 3.4% in 2023 as a result of a fall in the
country’s total maize area, although GM % utilisation of maize marginally increased. In 2022, GM
brinjal (aubergine/eggplant) was approved for cultivation, however, no commercial planting has yet
occurred.

Philippines GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Maize
Rice

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.58
0.05

% Change
-5.0
22.2

Total

0.62

-3.4

The first GM rice variety in the world to be commercialised was Golden Rice in the Philippines in2022. Golden Rice possesses elevated levels of beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, through theexpression of crt1 and psy1 genes. Golden rice was developed by the International Rice ResearchInstitute (IRRI) and deployed on 38,000 hectares (seed production and commercial harvest) in its
first year of cultivation. At this level, Golden Rice was planted on only 0.8% of the country’s total rice
area.

Philippines GM Adoption by Crop (%)
100

Maize

Rice

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

The first commercial plantings of GM maize occurred in 2004 on an initial area of 10,000 hectares.
Prior to 2007, only insect resistant varieties were cultivated; however, in that year the first herbicide
tolerant and stacked gene varieties were planted. Since 2007, stacked gene varieties have become
the dominant GM technology, accounting for 100% of the GM area in 2023. To date, GM maize
adoption rates typically remain below 30%, with 2020 being the only year where adoption wasabove this level.

26

Global GM Crop Area Review

Philippines Total Maize Area by Technology (%)
Insect Resistant
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Herbicide Tolerant

Stacked Gene

Conventional

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

MyanmarArea in 2023: 0.12 Ha m. (-36.7%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Cotton (2006)
Myanmar cultivated GM cotton, its only approved GM crop, on 116,250 hectares in 2023. The
country only cultivates insect resistant varieties, typically those developed locally, with theremainder of the area planted with varieties sourced from India.

Myanmar GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Cotton

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.12% Change
-36.7

Total

0.12

-36.7

Adoption rates of GM cotton peaked in 2017 when the crop represented 95% of the country’s total
cotton area. However, since that time % utilisation has fallen to a new plateau of 75%.

Myanmar GM Adoption by Crop (%)
100

Cotton

80
60
40
20
0

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

27

Global GM Crop Area Review

VietnamArea in 2023: 0.22 Ha m. (+22.2%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Maize (2015)
Vietnam planted a record GM maize area in 2023, at 220,000 hectares, representing 26.5% of thecountry’s total maize area. The majority of the GM maize area is planted with stacked gene varieties.

Vietnam GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Maize

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.22% Change
22.2

Total

0.22

22.2

Since its first introduction in 2015, the adoption of GM maize varieties has steadily increased toreach over a quarter of the country’s overall maize area. The rate of adoption increase has been
exacerbated by a reduction in the overall maize planted area, falling from 1.18 million hectares in2015 to 0.83 million hectares in 2023. In addition, adoption of GM varieties has been stifled by the2021 ban on the use of glyphosate, a key component of the Roundup Ready cropping system.

Vietnam GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Maize

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

28

2020

2021

2022

2023

Global GM Crop Area Review

Bangladesh
Area in 2023: 0.003 Ha m. (-12.5%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Brinjal (2014)
Bangladesh first planted GM varieties of brinjal in 2014. The crop possesses insect resistance toprotect against crop damage by pests such as the Brinjal Fruit and Shoot Borer (Leucinodes
orbonalis) through the production of the Cry1Ac delta endotoxin. There are currently twocommercial varieties, BARI Begun-10 and BARI Begun-11, that both utilise the Cry1Ac gene. It wasreported the country planted GM brinjal on an area of 2,832 hectares in 2023, a fall of 12.5% fromthe previous year.
Two GM cotton genetic events have been approved for cultivation, JKCH 1947 and JKCH 1947, bothdeveloped by JK Agrigenetics. To date no commercial planting has occurred, although the country
reported planted 15.3 hectares of demonstration plots in 2023.

Bangladesh GM Crop Area 2023
Year
BrinjalGM Area (Ha m.)
0.003% Change
-12.5

Total

0.003

-12.5

GM Brinjal was first commercialised in 2014, however utilisation remains low. While adoption saw apeak of 11.9% in 2021, it has fallen year on year to 5.3% of the country’s total brinjal area in 2023.

Bangladesh GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Brinjal

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

29

2019

2020

2021

2022

Global GM Crop Area Review

Indonesia
Area in 2023: 0.02 Ha m. (+26.6 %)GM Crops (year of introduction): Maize (2022), Sugarcane (2019)
Indonesia is a recent adopter of GM crop technology, having commercialised its first GM sugarcane
variety in 2019 and GM maize in 2022. GM potato was authorised for cultivation in 2018, however,to date no commercial plantings have taken place. The country’s GM crop area rose by 26.6% in
2023, driven by a greater GM sugarcane area.

Indonesia GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Maize
Sugarcane

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.00030.02% Change
20.0
26.7

0.02

26.6

Total

GM sugarcane in Indonesia was developed by the state-owned sugar plantation company PT
Perkebunan Nusantara. The crop utilises either the EcBetA or RmBetA gene to promote droughttolerance. A driver of area development since 2022 was the certification of GM sugarcane forgeneral commercialisation.

Indonesia GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Maize

100

Sugarcane

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Utilisation of GM maize is low at 0.01% of the country’s total maize area in 2023, its second year of
cultivation. It was reported that Bayer supplied enough seeds for planting 200-300 hectares in South
Sulawesi, West Nusatenggara, and East Nusatenggara under the company’s Better Life Farming (BLF)
program. Syngenta has also reportedly launched stacked gene varieties for cultivation. Both arepreparing to locally produce F1 hybrids for cultivation beyond 2023 as the Ministry of Agriculture
prohibits the importation of F1 seeds.

30

Global GM Crop Area Review

EuropeAt the regional level, Europe holds the world’s smallest GM area at only 48,066 hectares in 2023.
The majority of this area is in Spain, where 96.4% of the region’s GM maize is cultivated. Historically,
a number of European countries cultivated GM maize; however, only Spain and Portugal remain.

Historical European Cultivators of GM Maize
Country
Czech Republic
FranceGermany
PolandRomania
Slovakia

First Planting
2005
2004
2004
2006
3007
2006

Final Planting
2016
2008
2008
2012
2015
2016

Europe GM Crop Area by Country 2023
Country
SpainPortugal

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.04630.0017% Change
-31.5
-24.1

% Share
96.4
3.6

Total

0.0481

-31.2

100

Spain
Area in 2023: 0.0463 Ha m. (-31.5%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Maize (1998)
Spain first planted GM maize in 1998, predominantly in the Ebro River basin (autonomous regions of
Aragon, Catalonia, and Navarra), where European Corn Borer pressure is elevated. Spain cultivates
only insect resistant varieties that possess the MON 810 genetic event. Spain’s GM maize area fell
31.5% in 2023 as a result of a decline in the country’s overall maize area and a fall in GM %utilisation.

Spain GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Maize

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.0463% Change
-31.5

Total

0.0463-31.5

31

Global GM Crop Area Review

Spain GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Maize

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Portugal
Area in 2023: 0.0017 Ha m. (-24.1%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Maize (2005)
In a similar situation to Spain, Portugal only cultivates varieties of GM maize that contain the MON
810 insect resistance genetic event. GM maize cultivation is focussed in the region of Alentejo in the
county’s centre-south, where approximately 60% of the GM area occurs. First plantings of GM maizein Portugal took place in 2005, and since that time adoption rates have not significantly increased. In
2023, Portugal’s GM maize area fell 24.1% through a decline in the country’s overall maize area anda fall in GM % utilisation, with only 2.5% of the country’s total maize area planted with GM varieties.

Portugal GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Maize

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.0017% Change
-24.1

Total

0.0017-24.1

Portugal GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Maize

100
80
60
40
20

32

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

0

Global GM Crop Area Review

Rest of World
The rest of world region planted 3.5 million hectares of GM crops in 2023, a rise of 3.4% over theprevious year. South Africa is the driver of the region’s GM cultivation as it represents more than
90% of the GM planted area. From 2008 to 2015, Burkina Faso cultivated GM cotton; however,plantings ended as it was reported that the varieties containing GM traits were not yielding enough.
Since 2012 other countries in the region have begun GM crop cultivation.

Rest of World GM Crop Area by Country 2023
CountrySouth Africa
Sudan
Ethiopia
Kenya
Total

GM Area (Ha m.)
3.309
0.196
0.008
0.005

% Change
3.6
0.0
31.4
11.2

% Share
94.1
5.6
0.2
0.1

3.517

3.4

100.0

South Africa
Area in 2023: 3.309 Ha m. (+3.6%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Cotton (1997), Maize (1999), Soybean (2001)
South Africa possesses the world’s 7th-largest GM crop area at 3.3 million hectares in 2023. Within
this, maize forms the bulk of the country’s GM area, 66.5% of South Africa’s total.

South Africa GM Crop Area 2023
Year
CottonMaize
Soybean

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.02
2.2
1.1

% Change
10.0
-4.3
24.1

Total

3.3

3.6

GM maize was first planted in 1999 on an initial 0.1% of the country’s total maize area. It was not
until 2018 that adoption rates exceeded 90%, but since that time % utilisation has declined to 85.1%
in 2023. 60.4% of the country’s total maize area is planted with stacked gene varieties, with solely
herbicide tolerant varieties forming the next largest group with 18.7% of the total area.
Conventional varieties that do not possess any GM traits represent approximately 14.9% of the total
area, while solely insect resistant varieties are planted on roughly 6.0% of the country’s total maize
area.

33

Global GM Crop Area Review

South Africa Total Maize Area by Technology (%)
Herbicide Tolerant
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

Insect Resistant

Stacked Gene

Conventional

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

GM soybean was first cultivated in South Africa in 2001. In the 20 years since commercialisation, GM
plantings now represent 95.0% of the country’s total soybean area. In 2023, 1.1 million hectares ofGM soybean were cultivated, a rise of 24.1% over the previous year. The GM area is exclusively
planted with Roundup Ready (glyphosate tolerant) varieties. A driver of the country’s GM soybean
area has been its rotation with maize crops and increased oilseed processing operations in the
country.

South Africa GM Adoption by Crop (%)
100

CottonMaize

Soybean

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

GM cotton was planted on a small area in South Africa at 0.02 million hectares in 2023, an increaseof 10.0% over the previous year. GM Cotton was introduced in 1997 when solely insect resistantvarieties were utilised; however in 2023 stacked gene varieties formed the majority of the total
cotton area at approximately 90%.

34

Global GM Crop Area Review

SudanArea in 2023: 0.1960 Ha m. (0.0%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Cotton (2012)
Sudan has only cultivated GM cotton for the past 10 years. During this time adoption rates haveincreased to reach 98.0% of the country’s total cotton area. During the first year ofcommercialisation, % utilisation was 13.3%; however, this quickly jumped to 98% within four years.

Sudan GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Cotton

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.1960% Change
0.0

Total

0.1960

0.0

The Sudan GM cotton area is planted with solely insect resistant varieties, typically containing
Bayer’s Bollgard trait.

Sudan GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Cotton

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

35

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Global GM Crop Area Review

Ethiopia
Area in 2023: 0.0077 Ha m. (+31.4%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Cotton (2019)
Ethiopia has only recently begun the cultivation of GM cotton, with first plantings occurring in 2019.
In 2023, GM plantings increased 31.4% to 7,700 hectares, driven by GM % utilisation increasing by
3.2 percentage points to 14.0% of the country’s total cotton area. The Ethiopian government
authorised the use of seeds sourced from India, typically from JK Agri Genetics. However, since thattime there has reportedly been greater use of seeds purchased from uncertified sources on the
Ethiopian border.

Ethiopia GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Cotton

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.0077% Change
31.4

Total

0.007731.4

In a similar situation to Sudan, Ethiopia’s GM cotton area is planted with solely insect resistantvarieties.

Ethiopia GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Cotton

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

2019

2020

2021

36

2022

2023

Global GM Crop Area Review

KenyaArea in 2023: 0.0045 Ha m. (+11.2%)
GM Crops (year of introduction): Cotton (2020)
Kenya planted its first commercial varieties of GM cotton in 2020, with the government citing theneed to provide the agricultural sector with pest and drought resistant crops and help adapt toclimate change. In the years since, plantings have increased to 4,500 hectares, representing 45.0% of
Kenya’s total cotton area in 2023. Kenya’s government has signalled that it plans to increase thelevel of cultivation to over 16,000 hectares by 2024.

Kenya GM Crop Area 2023
Year
Cotton

GM Area (Ha m.)
0.0045% Change
11.2

Total

0.0045

11.2

Kenya GM Adoption by Crop (%)
Cotton

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

2020

2021

2022

2023

Nigeria
Nigeria has begun the cultivation of GM cotton and cowpea. However, GM cotton is still reportedly
in its trial phase, while GM cowpea began commercial plantings in 2022. The country approved themaize genetic event MON 87460 x MON 89034 in 2021, with regulators approving the use of thisgenetic event in four TELA maize varieties in early 2024. Data from Nigeria is presently difficult toattain and AgbioInvestor is progressing with gathering this data.
Nigeria cultivates two GM cotton varieties: Mahyco C 567 BGII & Mahyco C 571 BGII, both of which
utilise the MON 15985 genetic event that produces the Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab delta endotoxins. Bt
cowpea varieties contain the AAT709A genetic event that confers resistance to pest pod borer(Maruca vitrata) through the production of the Cry1Ab delta endotoxin.

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Disclaimer
This analysis contains proprietary and confidential information that belongs to Phil Mac
Associates (trading as AgbioInvestor).
The information contained in this document constitutes our best judgement at the time of
publication and is subject to change without notice.
No part of this document should be considered as advice or a recommendation to investors
or potential investors.
AgbioInvestor and its owners, collaborating partners, agents and employees cannot be held
liable for the use of and reliance of the opinions, estimates, forecasts, findings or any otherdata in this presentation.
For terms and conditions regarding the use of this data please visit:https://gm.agbioinvestor.com/terms-and-conditions

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Global GM Crop Area Review