Global Forage Seed Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

Global Forage Seed Market Size

In 2023, the global forage seed market was estimated to be worth around USD 19.72 billion. The market is expected to increase at a 9.2% CAGR between 2024 and 2032, reaching USD 39.88 billion by 2032.

Forage Seed Market Outlook

• Forage seeds are a crucial source of nutrition for ruminant animals and thus the demand increases along with the livestock production. 

• Chicken production, estimated at 1,528,000,000 although high, is relatively low compared to other leading producers of chickens, such as China. 

• According to forage seeds market analysis, sheep and goats have substantial numbers, with 194,030,298 and 13,235,966 heads, respectively, indicating a variety of meat consumption patterns. 

• Cattle production is high at 61,390,129, along with a significant buffalo population of 26,875,125.

Forage Seed Market Growth

Forage seeds are extremely variable in adaptation to soil, climatic conditions, nutritional value, and yield. Forage seeds also help improve fertility, increase the water-holding capacity, and decrease soil erosion.

Such seeds offer health benefits and complement technical innovations to form sustainable agriculture. Alfalfa, clover, and ryegrass, among others, are the basic forage crops that improve animal nutrition and have a healthier condition, producing more milk and better-quality meat. Forage crops enhance the structure of the soil, reduce soil erosion, increase fertility, and foster the growth of the forage seed market.

Output rose thanks to advances in seed technology, such as high-yielding and disease-resistant cultivars. Forage seeds are an indispensable part of organic agricultural systems with no use for synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.

Key Trends and Recent Developments

Some of the major factors that lead to new forage seed market dynamics and trends include the growing demand for animal products, organic feed consumption, and soil quality enhancement measures.

May 2024

S&W Seed Company has announced that it will add Double Team Forage Sorghum to its novel and proprietary sorghum trait technology portfolio, commercially launched. Double Team Forage Sorghum will deliver over-the-top and non-GMO grassy weed control to forage sorghum growers. With the addition of Double Team Forage Sorghum, S&W will help enhance return on investment for forage growers in much the same way it has for grain sorghum growers.

September 2023

In France, the maize and sunflower seed company MAS Seeds® brings its new MAS4 range to support distributor clients and farmers in their transition toward sustainable agriculture. This consists of cover crops, forage blends, and specialized mixtures. A specific, renewed offer for a new strategy MAS Seeds® wants to bring an offer that makes a difference and is innovative for its distributors.

Rising demand for animal products

Furthermore, growing demand for animal products like meat, eggs, and milk, and increasing populations with greater disposable means, have also supported the rise of the forage seed industry. Forage seeds provide cattle with a balanced nutritional profile, which helps in increasing the output and health of animals.

Organic cattle feed

The increasing awareness about the several advantages of using organic livestock feed is one of the factors fueling market growth. Long hayseeds help in absorbing acidity in the rumen and in general in the ruminant digestive health. It also allows for the development of beneficial microbes that will in turn allow for high fiber fermentation.

Improving Soil Quality

Another trend of the forage seed market is that rising attempts towards the betterment of soil quality due to decreasing soil fertility in different regions of the globe owing to acidification, salinization, and erosion are supporting the demand for forage seeds. Forage legumes help lower the problems of salinity. Similarly, alfalfa, being a crop of high water-consuming capacity and deep roots, consumes the excess water available. Perennial legumes also improve internal soil drainage.

Forage Seed Market Trends

Recent trends in the forage seed market include increased demand for high-quality, drought-resistant varieties as brought about by climatic changes and water scarcity. There is a new emphasis on seeds that will build soil health and help in sustainable farming. All of a sudden, precision agriculture and other information technology solutions come through for farmers to make better choices and get better yields. Another added interest is in different forage mixtures—better feed for livestock and also increased resilience in this regard. Companies are as well investing in reasonable expenditure on research and development to cater to these emergent needs, thereby supporting the global demand of forage seed market.

Industry Outlook

Livestock Production Growth Supports Demand For Forage Seeds.

Forage seeds demand is driven by increasing livestock production. According to FAO, the United States has a very strong livestock sector in 2022 with so many numbers in almost all categories. Important among these is cattle production, which pegs at 92,076,600 head, thus cementing the focus of the country on beef and dairy production. The swine/pig numbers are high at 74,399,300, reflecting strong pork production capabilities. Sheep and goats are relatively few with numbers at 5,065,000 and 2,550,000 respectively. A total of 10,313,890 horses, on the other hand, suggests a strong involvement in equine activities, both for leisure and agriculture. Turkeys, with an estimated 70,000 head, further add to the great variety of the United States poultry industry and propels the forage seed demand growth to rise high.

It is the global leader in various livestock categories, thereby underlining its huge agricultural production output and strong domestic consumption demand. Chicken production is very large at 5,290,244,000 head to support the massive poultry consumption of the country. Swine/pig numbers stand at the highest globally with 458,078,079 heads, and thus, China leads globally in pork production. Ducks and geese number 690,692 and 320,289 respectively, showing the country's diverse poultry industry. Asses and horses, while low in population relative to the other classes, still have a place within the country's agriculture, with 1,735,400 and 3,669,223 head respectively.

India's livestock production mirrors the great agricultural diversity and important role that livestock play in rural economies. Production of buffaloes is extremely high at 111,856,246 head, which testifies to their importance in dairy production. Similarly, the production of goats, at 149,994,093 head, cites their role in producing meat and milk in many parts of the country. There are considerable numbers of cattle at 193,606,913, which further accentuates the emphasis on dairying in the country and boosts the growth of forage seed industry. Sheep production stands at 75,345,847, supporting wool and meat industries. That of chicken stands at 852,324,000, though lower than that in China and the United States. The numbers for ducks and asses are relatively lower at 33,421 and 82,622 respectively.

Forage Seed Industry Segmentation

“Global Forage Seed Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

On the basis of type, the market is divided into:

• Alfalfa

• Clover 

• Ryegrass

• Chicory

• Others

Based on livestock, the market is classified into:

• Poultry

• Cattle

• Pork 

On the basis of species, the market is bifurcated into:

• Legumes

• Grasses

Based on region, the forage seed market segmentation includes:

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East and Africa

Forage Seed Market Share

As per forage seed industry analysis, clover is expected to account for a significant market share in the coming years. This growth can be attributed to the high digestible fibre and protein content of clovers. Clover acts as a nitrogen fixer and is often planted alongside wheat, rye, and oats, among others. Clover is also used as a supplement to cattle feed because of its high amino acid content, which aids in improving the gut functioning of the livestock.

Adverse Weather Events, Threat From Alternatives And Supply Chain Disruption Can Hinder The Growth Of The Global Forage Seed Market.

• Adverse weather such as drought, flood, and extreme temperatures can substantially impact the yield and quality of the seeds.

• High-quality forage seeds are expensive because of breeding, cultivation, harvesting, and processing, restricting the forage seed demand globally. 

• Low-quality forages resulting from such reduced crop performance, leading to low returns on investment and aero-damage to farmers' confidence in the market. 

• Forage seeds face competition from synthetic feed forages that threaten to replace them. 

• The phytosanitary regulation by stringent governance prohibits export or importation since certification requirements and trade restrictions govern their trade.

• This thus implies that the supply chain is at times disrupted by political rows between nations, trade restrictions, and natural disasters, which in turn affects the availability and cost of forage seeds.

Growing Demand For Meat And Dairy Products, Coupled With Government Policies, To Boost Global Forage Seed Market.

• Better Feeding to the livestock is required due to an increase in demand for meat and dairy products, thus opening up a huge opportunity for forage seeds.

• Governments encourage policies and incentives for sustainable agriculture and rural development; these increase the overall forage seed market revenue.

• Forage crops are an intrinsic part of these systems, providing livestock feed while enriching the fertility of the soil for producing future crops.

Forage Seed Market Regional Analysis

Forage seed industry in North America is anticipated to account for a significant share over the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the weather conditions and increased meat consumption in the region. The strong presence of various key market players including Corteva and Ampac Seed Company, among others in the region is further supporting the market expansion in North America. The growing awareness about the various negative health effects associated with the consumption of synthetic meat is bolstering the forage seed market share in North America.

Competitive Landscape

Some of the key strategies being taken up by the key players are:

• Any firm offering a large portfolio of forage seed types is better positioned to serve a large customer base.

• Those that can refine supply chains, better handle inventories, and decrease logistical costs will be able to deliver competitive prices with lower hassle customer service, helping in enhancing the forage seed industry revenue.

• Those companies that have an established network of distribution channels will be able to reach a larger pool of customers and make inroads into new markets more effectively.

• Therefore, strategic alliances and partnerships amongst research institutes, agricultural organisations, or other industry participants can favourably position a company in the market.

Corteva Inc., headquartered in Indiana and founded in 2019, has invested heavily in research and development to come up with innovative seed varieties that have higher nutritional value and are more adaptable to varied climatic conditions. Corteva mixes seed and crop protection solutions to make it easier for farmers to grow more food with reduced environmental impact. It has made some targeted investments in building regional market presence deeper in Asia-Pacific and Latin America by building local production and distribution networks.

DLF Seeds A/S, established in 1904 and headquartered in Roskilde, Denmark, invested in research and development to produce high-performance seed varieties for better disease resistance and yield potential. The company undertakes the development of environmentally-friendly forage seeds to link up with land use supporting soil fertility and biodiversity within sustainable agriculture. DLF Seeds targets expanding its geographical presence in North America, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific by forming strategic alliances and through market development activities.

BASF SE, established in 1865 in Ludwigshafen, Germany, is dependent on the development of new types of seeds, mainly being high-yielding and providing resistance, enhanced climatic tolerance, and other abilities. It produces seeds designed for a resource-efficient, environmentally friendly farming approach. Further, the company invests in strategies, partnerships, and local provision of production in such countries, thus providing several forage seed market opportunities.

UPL Limited is an Indian company established in 1969. The company is situated in Mumbai, India. The company deals with research and development of seeds that are superior in quality, giving excellent yields and crop disease resistance. The company also attempts to encourage sustainable agriculture with environmentally-friendly products and solutions. Over the years, UPL has been able to grow its footprints in newer markets through strategic buyouts and partnerships.

BrettYoung Seeds Limited, incorporated in the year 1934, based in Winnipeg, Canada, applies its professional knowledge to strict quality control to ensure that only the highest-grade seeds are supplied to farmers. They offer solutions that meet the different needs of various agricultural regions and provide the necessary education to farmers so they can continue farming sustainably by making the right decisions.

Other key players in the forage seed market report include BrettYoung, DLF Seeds A/S, Forage Genetics International, LLC, RAGT SA, S&W Seed Co., Growmark FS, LLC, and Germinal GB, among others.

Key Highlights of the Report

Forage Seed Market Report Snapshots

Forage Seed Market Size

Forage Seed Market Growth

Forage Seed Market Trends

Forage Seed Market Share

Forage Seed Companies

Forage Seed Market Regional Analysis