Forage Seeds Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Breeding Technology (Hybrid, Open Pollinated Varieties, Hybrid Derivatives), By Crops (Alfafa, Forage Corn, Forage Sorghum), By Livestock (Poultry, Cattle, Pork, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2023 To 2028

The global forage seeds market was valued at US$10.213 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.83% during the forecast period.

A forage seed is grown for grazing and hay fields as well as turf and lawns and is sold to farmers for use in these endeavours. Forage is defined as edible plant parts, other than separated grains, that are used as forages or as animal feed for grazing animals. They also help to provide soil ecosystem services, wildlife habitat, and crop variety, all of which are essential to the beef cattle industry.

Forage seeds mostly consist of alfalfa, clover, ryegrass, and chicory. Medicago sativa, a deep-rooted perennial plant native to southwest Asia and used for hay and fodder, is the subject of the lucerne forage seeds.

Growth drivers for the forage seeds market

Growing consumer desire for natural and organic animal feed that delivers nutrients to animals as a result of growing concern for livestock health is a key driver fueling the forage seeds industry expansion. The need for fodder seeds also increases as livestock populations rise and grazing area for animals is depleted by government agencies. However, the quality of dairy products is dependent on the quality of animal feed, which is driving up the global forage seed market as a means of nourishing animals and driving up the demand for forage seed throughout the anticipated time.

Growing demand for dairy and meat products

The change in diet and food consumption habits towards animal products is driving the global forage seed market. Demand for improved fodder crops is projected to result from the increase in animal production to meet the growing demand for meat and dairy products. For instance, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations projects that by 2025, the average annual meat consumption per person would have increased to 35 kilograms retail weight equivalent (r.w.e.) from 1.3 kg (r.w.e.) in 2014. Animals can consume seeds that have been foraged on grazing ground as well as processed or treated feed like dried biomass or hay.

Increase in livestock population

In the predicted period, it is anticipated that the fodder seeds industry would expand due to the rising number of livestock: Vitamin, fiber, and protein-rich forage crops increase an animal's metabolic efficiency. Forage crops rich in minerals help hens develop their bones, eggshells, fluid balance, and hormones. For instance, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, a US-based foreign affairs organization, issued its Livestock and Products report in September 2021, which forecasted that the number of cattle in India's national herd will rise from its current total of 2021 to 306.7 million in 2022 by 1.2 million head. The size of the herd has increased as a result of dairy animals' notable reproductive performance and is anticipated to forage seed market growth.

Alfalfa accounts for the highest share

Alfalfa is increasingly in demand as a result of its usage in the treatment of thrombocytopenic purpura, asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Additionally, it is a good source of minerals including calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron as well as vitamins A, C, E, and K4. In turn, the lucerne market is anticipated to receive attractive chances over the projected period. During the projected period, the forage seeds market is anticipated to develop as a result of rising demand for organic meat, eggs, and milk along with an increase in the requirement for healthy animals.

Benefits to soil health

Since producers of forage seeds do not rely on synthetic fertilizer and pesticide inputs, soil health may be restored and maintained with the use of forage seeds. The use of cover crops and forage mixtures to regulate soil health is common in the development of forage seeds. In addition to protecting the soil, cover crops also enhance organic matter, strengthen soil structure, and collect and store nutrients for forage crops, due to which the forage seed market size is expanding.  

The product has several benefits, including fewer weeds, higher yields, fewer diseases in succeeding crops, deeper and larger carbon ponds for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improved internal drainage, and water filtering.

North America is the fastest-growing market

The forage seed market size in North America is expanding as a result of rising dairy product consumption, customer preference for organic feed, and rising forage seed demand. In addition, the output of lucerne has grown as a result of less land being used for animal feeding, which is fueling forage seed market growth in the area. The United States produces roughly 23 million acres of lucerne annually, which raises the need for fodder seed in this area.

Asia Pacific to show significant market share

Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the forage seed market with the largest growth throughout the projection period, due to a lack of cow grazing acreage and a rise in the popularity of dairy products. India's forage seed industry is expanding as a result of the country's rising demand for poultry, which has raised the demand for forage seeds. The leading forage seed vendors are always working to provide novel forage seeds that give animals vitamins and proteins. Furthermore, it is anticipated that current forage seed research efforts and government initiatives would fuel forage seed market growth in the area.

Forage Seed Products

• ProHarvest Seeds, ProHarvest Seeds uses fodder traits that offer a blend of good tonnage and high quality. Our enhanced grasses and forages are chosen for their superior quality, yield, persistence, disease resistance, and maturities that make it simpler to manage hayfields and pastures. They are picked from all over the world.
• Pioneer® brand alfalfa, Alfalfa types sold under the Pioneer® name are created with premium fodder in mind. The combination of features produces exceptional fodder output and quality for your business. It was built with unmatched agronomic packages to withstand yield-limiting pests and winter stress.

Market Key Developments

• In January 2023, Agribusiness Growmark Inc., with headquarters in the US, announced the acquisition of Allied Seed, a business in Nampa that sells forage grass, legume, and turfgrass seed.
• In March 2022, OreGro Seeds was purchased by DLF, a seed business located in Europe, for an unknown sum. Through this purchase, DLF and its distribution partners may exclusively provide OreGro's cool-season forage grass, forage legumes, turfgrass, cover crop, and small grain varieties in the United States and abroad.

Forage Seeds Market Scope:

Segmentation:

• By Breeding Technology
  • Hybrid
  • Open Pollinated Varieties
  • Hybrid Derivatives
• By Crops
  • Alfafa
  • Forage Corn
  • Forage Sorghum
• By Livestock
  • Poultry
  • Cattle
  • Pork
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • United Kingdom
    • Germany
    • France
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Others