Biotech soybeans now cover 50% of the world's biotech crop area

The four major biotech crops — soybeans, maize, cotton, and canola — were the most adopted biotech crops by 26 countries in 2018, according to the ISAAA report, Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops in 2018. Soybeans lead at 95.9 million hectares, followed by maize (58.9 million hectares), cotton (24.9 million), and canola (10.1 million hectares). Based on the FAO global area for these crops, 78% of soybeans, 76% of cotton, 30% of maize, and 29% of canola were biotech crops in 2018.

Other biotech crops planted in 2018 include sugar beets, alfalfa, papaya, squash, potatoes, apples, sugarcane, and eggplant.

To learn more about biotech crops planted in 2018, download and read the Biotech Crop Annual Updates for soybeans, maize, cotton, canola, and alfalfa.