This statistic reflects the total acreage of genetically modified crops of the leading countries from 2015 to 2019. In 2019, the United States planted 71.5 million hectares of biotech crops. Their biotech crops include maize, soybean, cotton, canola, sugar beet, alfalfa, papaya, squash and potato.
Genetically modified crops
Genetic modifications of crops are done for many reasons, for example, to attain desirable traits or to make crops resistant to pests or herbicides. Since 2003, the acreage of genetically modified crops has generally been increasing. Globally, soybeans and corn are the most commonly adopted biotech products.
U.S. Genetically modified crop production
From 2018 to 2020, herbicide tolerant soybeans made up 94 percent of the total soybean crop acreage in the United States. Some types of genetically modified cotton and corn made up more than three quarters or the total acreage as well. As of 2019, there were about 30.43 million hectares of genetically modified soybeans in the U.S., but this is a slight decrease from the previous year.
Acreage of genetically modified crops worldwide from 2015 to 2019, by leading country (in million hectares)*
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Acreage of genetically modified crops worldwide from 2015 to 2019, by leading country (in million hectares)*
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Figures prior to 2019 were taken from previous global biotech summaries of the ISAAA.
The publication date does not provide an exact publication date. The given date is the date accessed.
* Biotech mega-countries growing 50,000 hectares, or more, of biotech crops.
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ISAAA. (November 21, 2021). Acreage of genetically modified crops worldwide from 2015 to 2019, by leading country (in million hectares)* [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 05, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/263294/acreage-of-genetically-modified-crops-by-country-since-2003/
ISAAA. "Acreage of genetically modified crops worldwide from 2015 to 2019, by leading country (in million hectares)*." Chart. November 21, 2021. Statista. Accessed April 05, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/263294/acreage-of-genetically-modified-crops-by-country-since-2003/
ISAAA. (2021). Acreage of genetically modified crops worldwide from 2015 to 2019, by leading country (in million hectares)*. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 05, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/263294/acreage-of-genetically-modified-crops-by-country-since-2003/
ISAAA. "Acreage of Genetically Modified Crops Worldwide from 2015 to 2019, by Leading Country (in Million Hectares)*." Statista, Statista Inc., 21 Nov 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/263294/acreage-of-genetically-modified-crops-by-country-since-2003/
ISAAA, Acreage of genetically modified crops worldwide from 2015 to 2019, by leading country (in million hectares)* Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/263294/acreage-of-genetically-modified-crops-by-country-since-2003/ (last visited April 05, 2025)
Acreage of genetically modified crops worldwide from 2015 to 2019, by leading country (in million hectares)* [Graph], ISAAA, November 21, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/263294/acreage-of-genetically-modified-crops-by-country-since-2003/
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