Global trends in the commercialization of genetically modified crops in 2024

doi:10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.037

Journal of Integrative Agriculture

2026, Vol. 25

Issue (4): 1307-1315 DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.037

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Global trends in the commercialization of genetically modified crops in 2024

Haohui Li^{1, 3*}, Xingru Cheng^{1, 2*}, Liqiang Wang¹, Pei Xie⁴, Haiwen Zhang¹, Yadong Yang^2#, Tao Liu^4#, Youhua Wang^1#

¹ Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China

² State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arable Land in China/Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China

³ Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China

⁴Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China

Highlights

● The study systematically analyzes the spatial distribution pattern and regional evolution driving mechanism of global genetically modified (GM) crops in 2024.

● The global planting area of GM crops reaches 209.8 million hectares, with developing countries accounting for 54.0% and their growth rate continuing to outpace that of developed countries.

● The study provides multidimensional empirical support and decision-making basis for the optimal allocation of agricultural biotechnology resources and the formulation of food security strategies.

Abstract
References

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摘要

转基因作物的持续商业化进程不断提高全球粮食产量、改善作物品质并减少农药使用。此类技术创新有效推动农业生产体系向可持续方向转型。具体而言，转基因作物通过应对虫害、杂草滋生和耕地限制等核心挑战，已成为农业领域的关键新型生产力。本研究系统梳理了2024年全球转基因作物的空间分布格局，深入剖析了其发展驱动力与区域趋势演变，为农业科技创新提供关键信息支撑与战略指导。2024年，全球转基因作物种植面积达到2.098亿公顷，同比增长1.7%。转基因大豆和转基因玉米占据主导地位，分别占全球种植面积的50.0%和32.5%。具有多重性状（抗虫性、耐除草剂性等）的转基因玉米占比高达92.5%。发展中国家的转基因作物种植占比显著提升，巴西和越南成为区域增长引擎。政策支持与先进技术推广被认定为核心驱动力。同时，基因编辑技术的应用进程加快，多个国家批准了耐旱、抗病等新型性状的转基因作物，标志着下一代转基因作物商业化取得实质性进展。本研究为全球农业生物技术发展提供多维度洞察与指导，推动生物技术育种迈入“4.0时代”。

Abstract

The ongoing commercialization of genetically modified (GM) crops continues to enhance global grain yields, improve crop quality, and reduce pesticide usage. These technological advancements have effectively propelled agricultural production systems toward sustainable transformation. Specifically, GM crops address core challenges such as pest infestations, weed proliferation, and arable land constraints, emerging as a pivotal new productive force in agriculture. This study systematically examines the global spatial distribution patterns of GM crops in 2024 and provides an indepth analysis of the driving forces and evolving regional trends, offering critical informational support and strategic guidance for innovation in agricultural science and technology. In 2024, the global GM crop cultivation area reached 209.8 million hectares, a 1.7% year-on-year increase. GM Glycine max (soybean) and Zea mays (maize) dominated the landscape, accounting for 50.0 and 32.5% of the total area, respectively. Among them, maize with stacked traits of insect resistance and herbicide tolerance accounts for 92.5% of GM maize. The share of cultivation in developing countries expanded substantially, with Brazil and Vietnam emerging as regional growth drivers. Policy support and the diffusion of advanced technologies were identified as core driving forces. Concurrently, applications of gene-editing technology accelerated, and several countries approved novel tr aits such as drought tolerance and disease resistance, marking substantial progress in the commercialization of next-generation GM crops. This research provides multidimensional insights and strategic guidance to support global agricultural biotechnology development, promoting the transition of biotechnology breeding into the ‘4.0 era’.

Keywords: genetically modified crops commercialization global agriculture cultivation area biotechnology

Received: 15 August 2025 Accepted: 23 October 2025 Online: 24 November 2025

Fund:

This study was funded by the Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund, China (Y2025CY45) and the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Y2025ZZ11).

About author: Haohui Li, E-mail: guilingniao@foxmail.com; #Correspondence Youhua Wang, Tel: +86-10-82109850, E-mail: wangyouhua@caas.cn; Tao Liu, Tel: +86-10-82105625, E-mail: liutao@caas.cn; Yadong Yang, Tel: +86-10-82108645, E-mail: yangyadong18@163.com * These authors contributed equally to this study.

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Cite this article:

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[1]	Xingru Cheng, Haohui Li, Qiaoling Tang, Haiwen Zhang, Tao Liu, Youhua Wang. Trends in the global commercialization of genetically modified crops in 2023[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(12): 3943-3952.

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