Dr. Bharti Malhotra is an agribusiness expert at S&P Global, Commodity Insights, based in New Jersey, US. With over 17 years of experience in the agriculture sector, she plays a key role in analysing crop science markets. Dr. Bharti oversees various S&P Global’s seed and traits offerings, including analysis reports and databases within crop science, notably the recent seed innovation database that covers thousands of products developed using various breeding techniques, along with their regulations by country, as well as their offerings on biologicals and agrochemicals market intelligence. Her professional journey spans R&D, management consulting, and market research, where she has contributed to the development of transgenic potatoes using RNAi, the standardization of gene editing methodologies and commercialization of GM crops
The global seed market has grown 3.5 times from 1996 to 2024, reaching $55.7 billion. Genetically modified (GM) seeds serve as a prime example of innovation within the seed industry, demonstrating significant impact; despite occupying only 18% of the global planted area, GM seeds account for nearly half of the commercial seed market. The seed industry is driven by research and development (R&D), with approximately $5 billion invested annually, representing 10-15% of sales, and some companies allocating up to 30%. This investment has resulted in over 1,000 new traits in the pipeline, including innovations like short stature corn and hybrid wheat. Seeds are estimated to contribute to 74% of the yield gains observed in EU crops, significantly outpacing fertilizers and crop protection products, which justifies this level of R&D investment. In the coming decade, market growth will be propelled by GM trait launches in Brazil and Argentina, particularly in corn and soybean, as well as GM corn expansion in mainland China. Additionally, non-GM technologies such as direct-seeded rice in India and Southeast Asia, along with hybrid wheat, will play a crucial role. Scientific innovation—spanning genetics, biologicals, and management practices—remains the key driver of value creation in the global seed market, enhancing both yield gains and market expansion, with a positive outlook for continued advancement and transformation of the value chain through 2025 and beyond.
