Market Trends of United States Forage Seed Industry
Demand for Organic Food and Feed Products
Growing health concerns regarding GMOs and synthetic chemicals have spurred a preference for organic foods. This trend includes organic meat and dairy products, necessitating livestock to be fed with organic forage, thus increasing the demand for forage seeds like alfalfa, clover, and ryegrass. Additionally, the move towards sustainable agricultural practices that forgo synthetic fertilizers and pesticides is in line with consumer values and supports environmental health, further elevating the need for organic forage seeds. The broader trends in livestock farming, such as the rising global demand for meat and dairy due to population growth and shifts in dietary habits, are also amplifying the demand for quality forage. Market growth is being bolstered by investments in research and development to improve forage seed varieties. The U.S. forage seed market is expected to see substantial growth over the coming decade, driven by the increasing demand for organic food and feed products, along with sustainable farming practices and the overarching trends in livestock farming.
Growing Demand for Dairy and Meat Products
Increasing population trends are supporting the growth of the dairy, meat, and seafood markets. Increasing life expectancy, limited availability of land and water resources for animal feed production, and increasing usage of these resources for food production are increasing the demand for animal feed in the global dairy and meat industry. Increased demand from the dairy industry and increased livestock headcount are expected to increase the demand. For instance, the number of cattle in the United States increased from 93.6 million in 2017 to 93.8 million in 2022.