South America Agricultural Biotechnology Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecasts 2031

Key Findings

• The South America Agricultural Biotechnology Market is expanding rapidly due to rising demand for high-yield crops, climate-resilient farming, and advanced agricultural productivity solutions.
• Genetically modified (GM) seeds, molecular breeding, bio-pesticides, microbial fertilizers, and genome-editing tools are witnessing widespread adoption across South America.
• Increased focus on sustainable agriculture, soil regeneration, and reduction of chemical inputs is accelerating biotechnology-driven innovations.
• Government support for biotech research, seed development programs, and agri-startup ecosystems is strengthening market momentum.
• Precision agriculture, integrated pest management, and biotech-based stress-tolerant crop varieties are reshaping farming practices.
• Growing incidence of climate stress drought, pests, soil degradation is driving demand for biotech-enabled resilience.
• Rapid expansion of agri-biotech research institutions and public–private partnerships is fostering R&D breakthroughs.
• Rising investment in microbial biotechnology, gene editing, and bio-based crop protection solutions is establishing South America as a leading agri-biotech innovation hub.

South America Agricultural Biotechnology Market Size and Forecast

The South America Agricultural Biotechnology Market is projected to grow from USD 78.5 billion in 2025 to USD 142.9 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 10.3%. Demand for biotechnology-driven agricultural solutions is rising due to increasing need for high-yield crops, efficient nutrient management, and improved pest resistance. Genetically engineered seeds, microbial soil enhancers, and advanced molecular diagnostic tools are gaining strong penetration. Farmers in South America increasingly prefer biotech crops that offer improved tolerance to heat, drought, and salinity. Growing adoption of biopesticides and biofertilizers supports sustainable farming initiatives. As agriculture transitions toward technology-driven production systems, agricultural biotechnology will play a central role in ensuring food security and environmental resilience.

Introduction

Agricultural biotechnology involves the use of scientific tools and biological processes including genetic engineering, molecular markers, microbial biotechnology, genome editing, and tissue culture to enhance crop productivity, improve resilience, and optimize agricultural systems. In South America, agricultural biotechnology is transforming traditional farming by enabling precision breeding, efficient nutritional management, and eco-friendly pest control. Biotech-driven solutions help address major challenges such as climate change, soil degradation, pest outbreaks, and declining arable land. Technologies like CRISPR gene editing, DNA barcoding, and microbial consortia are enabling significant innovations in crop improvement. As demand for high-quality and stress-resistant crops increases, agricultural biotechnology continues to expand as a fundamental pillar of modern agriculture.

Future Outlook

By 2031, the South America Agricultural Biotechnology Market will be shaped by widespread adoption of gene-edited crops, microbial bio-inputs, AI-powered crop genomics, and climate-resilient plant varieties. Microbial consortia will emerge as key tools for soil regeneration, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. Commercialization of gene-edited fruits, vegetables, and cereals will accelerate due to streamlined regulation and improved consumer acceptance. Multi-omics technologies including genomics, metabolomics, and proteomics will personalize crop improvement programs. Vertical farms and controlled-environment agriculture will integrate biotech seed varieties for optimized productivity. Synthetic biology will enable development of nitrogen-fixing crops, high-oil varieties, and disease-immune cultivars. With strong institutional investment, South America will play a central role in next-generation biotechnology agriculture.

South America Agricultural Biotechnology Market Trends

• Rising Adoption of Gene Editing Technologies Including CRISPR for Crop Improvement
  Gene editing allows precise modification of crop genomes to enhance traits such as drought tolerance, disease resistance, and nutritional quality. In South America, research institutes and agri-tech companies increasingly use CRISPR to accelerate breeding cycles and reduce dependency on chemical inputs. Gene-edited crops enable faster development of climate-resilient varieties suitable for extreme weather conditions. This trend enhances food security and agricultural sustainability. As regulatory frameworks evolve, commercialization of gene-edited crops will expand significantly.

• Expansion of Microbial Seed Treatments, Biofertilizers, and Biopesticides
  Microbial solutions are gaining popularity due to environmental concerns and restrictions on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Beneficial microbes enhance nutrient uptake, suppress soil pathogens, and improve plant immunity. In South America, farmers are increasingly adopting microbial inoculants, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and compost-derived biofertilizers. Biopesticides derived from fungi, bacteria, and plant extracts are being used for integrated pest management. This trend supports soil health regeneration and aligns with global sustainability objectives.

• Growing Use of Molecular Markers and Genomic Selection in Plant Breeding
  Molecular markers accelerate breeding by identifying desirable traits at early stages, reducing time required to develop improved cultivars. Genomic selection models predict plant performance using large datasets, improving breeding accuracy. In South America, seed companies and research institutions use marker-assisted selection for hybrid seeds, disease resistance, and yield improvement. These technologies significantly increase breeding efficiency and support rapid product development pipelines.

• Integration of Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering for Novel Agricultural Traits
  Synthetic biology enables creation of crops with enhanced oil content, improved protein levels, and high-value compounds such as nutraceuticals. In South America, emerging biotech ventures are developing engineered microbes for nitrogen fixation and bio-based agricultural chemicals. These technologies reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers and support climate-smart agriculture. As synthetic biology matures, new market opportunities will emerge in functional crops and engineered soil microbes.

• Increasing Adoption of Digital Agriculture and Biotechnology Convergence
  AI, machine learning, phenomics, and high-throughput sequencing are integrating with biotechnology to accelerate crop development. Digital twins of crops, real-time field genomics, and predictive models guide biotech-driven farming decisions in South America. Precision agriculture supported by biotechnology enhances productivity while minimizing resource use. As digital agriculture ecosystems expand, biotech-led decision-making becomes increasingly important.

Market Growth Drivers

• Growing Need for High-Yield and Climate-Resilient Crops
  Climate variability and extreme weather events challenge traditional agriculture. Biotechnology provides stress-tolerant crop varieties capable of high yields in adverse conditions. Rising need for food security drives robust adoption across South America.

• Increasing Demand for Eco-Friendly Agricultural Inputs
  Biofertilizers, biopesticides, and microbial solutions reduce reliance on chemical inputs, contributing to sustainability and soil health restoration. Government-supported organic farming and sustainable agriculture missions further strengthen demand.

• Government Support and Expansion of Agricultural R&D Programs
  Governments in South America actively support agricultural research through funding, biotech incubation programs, and university collaborations. Favorable biotechnology policies enable commercialization of genetically enhanced crops and biological inputs.

• Rapid Growth of Seed Technology and Hybrid Crop Development
  Hybrid seeds offer improved productivity, disease resistance, and consistent performance. Biotechnology accelerates hybrid development through molecular markers and genomic selection. This significantly boosts market penetration.

• Increasing Private Sector Investment and Agri-Tech Innovations
  Venture capital investment in agri-biotech startups is rising sharply. Innovations in gene editing, microbial consortia, and metabolomics attract strong commercialization interest. Private-sector participation drives long-term market expansion.

Challenges in the Market

• Regulatory Complexity and Restrictions on GM Crop Commercialization
  Strict regulatory approval processes for biotechnology crops slow market entry and increase development costs. Public perception of GM crops also influences adoption. Managing regulatory compliance remains a major challenge.

• High R&D Costs and Long Development Cycles
  Developing biotechnology-enabled crops and bio-inputs requires substantial research investment, testing, and field validation. Long development timelines limit the speed of commercialization for smaller companies.

• Limited Awareness Among Farmers Regarding Biotech Benefits
  Some farmers may be hesitant to adopt new biotechnologies due to insufficient knowledge, lack of training, or concerns about risks. Effective extension services and education are necessary for wider adoption.

• Environmental and Biosecurity Concerns
  Biotech crops raise concerns about biodiversity, cross-pollination, and potential ecological impacts. Biofertilizers and engineered microbes must undergo rigorous testing to ensure safe application in large-scale farming.

• Supply Chain Constraints for Bio-Based Agricultural Inputs
  Cold chain and storage challenges affect microbial products. Inconsistent distribution networks and limited availability in rural areas hinder market penetration of biofertilizers and biopesticides.

South America Agricultural Biotechnology Market Segmentation

By Technology Type

• Genetic Engineering

• Genome Editing (CRISPR, TALENs)

• Molecular Marker-Assisted Breeding

• Tissue Culture

• Synthetic Biology

• Microbial Biotechnology

• Genomics & Bioinformatics

By Product Type

• Transgenic Seeds

• Hybrid Seeds

• Biofertilizers

• Biopesticides

• Plant Growth Regulators

• Microbial Inoculants

• Gene-Edited Crops

By Application

• Crop Improvement

• Pest and Disease Management

• Soil Health Management

• Environmental Monitoring

• Livestock Biotechnology

• Precision Farming

• Agricultural Research

By End-User

• Farmers

• Seed Companies

• Research Institutions

• Government Agencies

• Agri-Tech Startups

• Biotechnology Companies

Leading Key Players

• Bayer CropScience

• Syngenta

• BASF Agricultural Solutions

• Corteva Agriscience

• Novozymes

• Marrone Bio Innovations

• Nufarm

• KWS SAAT

• Evogene

• Tropic Biosciences

Recent Developments

• Bayer CropScience launched new gene-edited crop hybrids resistant to climate stress for commercial farming in South America.

• Novozymes expanded its microbial biofertilizer production facilities to support sustainable agriculture initiatives in South America.

• Corteva Agriscience partnered with research organizations in South America to develop next-generation pest-resistant crop varieties.

• Evogene introduced AI-driven gene discovery tools to accelerate trait identification for high-yield crops in South America.

• Marrone Bio Innovations deployed new bio-based pest management solutions targeted at horticulture and broadacre crops across South America.

This Market Report Will Answer the Following Questions

1. What is the projected market size and CAGR of the South America Agricultural Biotechnology Market by 2031?

2. Which biotechnologies gene editing, microbial engineering, molecular markers are leading market transformation?

3. What are the major drivers increasing adoption of biotech-enabled agricultural solutions across South America?

4. What regulatory, environmental, and operational challenges affect market growth?

5. Who are the leading companies developing advanced agricultural biotechnology innovations?