What is it about?

This article examines the "planting ledger" of global genetically modified (GM) crops in 2024—where they are mostly grown, what types are cultivated, the reasons behind their adoption, and upcoming new trends. In short, a total of 209.8 million hectares of GM crops were planted worldwide in 2024, roughly equivalent to the area of two Henan Provinces, representing a 1.7% increase from the previous year. Developing countries accounted for 54% of the total (e.g., Brazil and Vietnam), and their growth rate outpaced that of developed nations—indicating that GM technology is spreading to regions with greater needs for higher yields. Among the crops grown, soybean was the most common, making up 50% of the total, followed by maize (corn) at 32.5%. Most maize varieties were "dual-trait": resistant to both insects and herbicides, covering 92.5% of the total maize area. Other common GM crops include cotton and rapeseed. Which countries planted the most? The top five were the United States, Brazil, Argentina, India, and Canada, together accounting for 90.6% of global GM crop area. The U.S. remained the largest producer at 75.4 million hectares, but Brazil was closing the gap rapidly with 67.9 million hectares. Brazil also ranks first globally in GM soybean production, most of which are dual-trait varieties resistant to insects and herbicides. China planted 3.5 million hectares, mainly maize and soybeans, marking a 17.9% increase year-on-year, driven by the launch of domestic commercialization pilot programs. Why is there growing adoption of GM crops? Policy support and new technologies are key factors. For instance, China approved 19 new GM varieties in 2024 (12 maize and 5 soybean). The United States exempted certain gene-edited crops (such as tomatoes modified without inserting foreign genes). While the European Union bans cultivation, it permits imports for processing. Meanwhile, new innovations are gradually being commercialized, including drought‑resistant wheat, disease‑resistant maize, and even high‑protein soybeans. Overall, GM crop cultivation continued to expand in 2024, with developing countries emerging as the main drivers. Advanced technologies such as gene editing have created more "intelligent" crop varieties, which may help address global food shortages and overuse of pesticides in the future.

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Why is it important?

The value of this article lies in using the latest data to draw a "global map of genetically modified (GM) crops" for the general public, farmers, and policymakers: For the general public: It clarifies that GM crops are not a "scourge" — they help increase yields and reduce pesticide use. For instance, GM soybeans in Brazil have boosted production and farmers’ incomes; China’s pilot GM corn varieties have achieved yield increases of 5.6%–11.6%, which may lead to lower prices in the future. For farmers: It identifies superior crop varieties from different countries (such as Brazil’s dual-performance soybeans) and popular traits (insect resistance plus herbicide tolerance), providing reliable guidance for selection. For policymakers: It offers a "resource allocation guide" — for example, developing countries need greater technical support, and gene-edited crops can be approved more quickly, enabling faster responses to food security challenges under climate change. Its uniqueness is that it presents the latest global analysis for 2024, covering 28 countries (including many developing nations), with a special focus on advances in next-generation gene-editing technologies (such as the approval of nine gene-edited crop varieties in China). Its timeliness stems from the fact that 2024 marks a critical year for GM crops shifting from "pilot trials" to "large-scale promotion" (with pilot programs launched in eight Chinese provinces). Published right at this pivotal moment, the article provides clear direction for those looking to enter the field.

Perspectives

Sharing my true feelings: Genetically modified crops are not a question of "whether to adopt them" but of "how to use them well". What struck me most when looking at the data was the growth in developing countries — the rapid expansion of GM acreage in Brazil and Vietnam shows that these countries truly need this technology to tackle the problem of "more people, less grain". For example, Vietnam has planted 430,000 hectares of GM corn, double the area from last year, precisely because insect-resistant GM varieties reduce the need for frequent pesticide applications and ease the burden on farmers. There have also been breakthroughs in gene editing: China’s "short-growth-period corn" and "high-protein soybeans", as well as the United States’ "non-browning potatoes", are all examples of "precision trait improvement". Unlike traditional genetic modification that introduces foreign genes, gene editing modifies an organism’s own genes, making it safer and more flexible. For instance, Shandong’s "Br2 mutant corn" has a shorter growth cycle, allowing an extra harvest per year — extremely useful for regions with limited arable land. Of course, I understand people have concerns about GM crops — such as "Is it safe?" and "Will it lead to monopolies?" But the regulatory section of this research actually addresses these issues: countries are balancing liberalization and oversight. The US exempts safe gene-edited crops from strict regulation, the EU applies rigorous reviews but permits imports, and China is gradually promoting the technology through "pilot programs plus supervision". In conclusion, this research does not "advocate for GM crops" but "presents the facts". It uses data to show how GM technology is developing globally and what benefits it can bring. I hope more people, after reading it, will let go of their prejudices and see whether it can truly help us solve real problems.

浩辉 李
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Global trends in the commercialization of genetically modified crops in 2024, Journal of Integrative Agriculture, April 2026, Tsinghua University Press,
DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.037.
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