The Global GMO Testing Services industry is estimated to be worth USD 2.6 billion by 2024. It is projected to reach USD 5.7 billion by 2034, reflecting a CAGR of 8.2% over the assessment period 2024 to 2034.
Genetically modified organisms (GMO) are organisms with modified genetic material using advance biotechnology techniques so get desired biological products. GMOs are produces using scientific method such as recombinant DNA technology where in a gene of interest is inserted into organism’s DNA to achieve desired trait or produce product of interest.
GMO testing on crops and processed foods certifies the product's identity and nature, as well as identifying traits like as herbicide tolerance, stacked, and pest resistance. Due to rising nutritional demand, the production of genetically modified crops has increased, resulting in the tightening of genetically modified food safety laws. As a result, the market for GMO testing increased. In response to these new opportunities, market participants have expanded their global presence and service offerings.
With the increasing instances of food frauds, such as intentional ingredient substitution, misleading claims to deceive consumers, and misleading labeling, consumers are skeptical about the genuineness of food products engineered to fulfill specific demands. In turn, food manufacturers have found food testing tools as the best way to outclass the competition and increase market share. This is likely to result in the market to grow at similar rates during the forecast period.
| Attributes | Description |
|---|---|
| Estimated Global GMO Testing Services Industry Size (2024E) | USD 2.6 billion |
| Projected Global GMO Testing Services Industry Value (2034F) | USD 5.7 billion |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 8.2% |
GMO testing services companies are using qualitative as well as quantitative methods for GMO detection in various products. Companies are developing the advance techniques based on PCR and ELISA technologies to fulfil rising demand for the GMO testing with strict government regulations.
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The below table presents a comparative assessment of the variation in CAGR over six months for the base year (2023) and current year (2024) for the Global GMO Testing Services market. This analysis reveals crucial shifts in performance and indicates revenue realization patterns, thus providing stakeholders with a better vision of the growth trajectory over the year. The first half of the year, or H1, spans from January to June. The second half, H2, includes the months from July to December.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 7.8% (2023 to 2033) |
| H2 | 8.2% (2023 to 2033) |
| H1 | 8.1% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 8.4% (2024 to 2034) |
In the first half (H1) of the decade from 2023 to 2033, the business is predicted to surge at a CAGR of 7.8%, followed by a higher growth rate of 8.2% in the second half (H2) of the same decade. Moving into the subsequent period, from H1 2024 to H2 2034, the CAGR is projected to increase to 8.1% in the first half and remain considerably high at 8.5% in the second half. In the first half (H1) the sector witnessed an increase of 35 BPS while in the second half (H2), the business witnessed an increase of 20 BPS.
Increasing the Use of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops and Livestock Animals
The world population is increasing at significant rate and so as the demand for food products. Today genetically modified crops and microbes are frequently used in agriculture and food production processes boosted by the need for increased production. The GM crops have several advantages like increased yield, pest resistance, requires less fertilizers, short life cycle and better adaptability to the severe climatic conditions.
There is continuous development of new GM plants, fishes and livestock animals which cater to different industries like food processing, animal feed and pharmaceuticals. This expansion of GMOs is considered as threat to environment and biodiversity. Rising awareness in the world about the impact of GMOs has forced manufacturers to do GMO testing of the ingredients and the products before it is supplied in the market.
There are many human health issues linked with GMOs such allergy reaction, toxicity and possibility genetic changes. This is supposed to drive the growth in GMO testing services industry.
Strict Government Regulations and Labelling Requirements
Globally the GMO testing service industry’s growth is driven by the strict government regulation and updated labelling requirements for the food products. These regulations are meant for the consumer safety, clean labelling, environment protection and sustainable production in food manufacturing.
Increasing consumer awareness about the various risk associated with the use of GMOs have shifted manufacturers towards GMO testing for their products. Consumers prefer the food products with clean labelling and certifications such “GMO Free”. European Union (EU) has strict regulations which include mandatory labelling of GMO products. With growing consumer concerns over the health issues and environmental impact of GMOs, the demand for GMO testing is rising globally.
For food manufacturers, ingredient testing has become prevalence in order to make sure they are natural or GMO. This has boosted the GMO testing particularly for soy, corn, tomato and canola based ingredient and products.
Increasing Consumer Demand for Non-GMO and Clean Label Products
The growing demand for Non-GMO and clean label product increases the sales of GMO testing services. Consumers are also shifting towards premium and naturally sourced food products. Healthy conscious people, parents with children, and those maintaining a specific diet like organic, plant-based, etc. are the main targets. To cater to such demands by consumers, the pressure arises on food manufacturers to follow these consumer expectations.
This expansion in the market will be primarily driven by the increasing demand to ensure appropriate consumption of nutrients and technological advancements in farming operations. Furthermore, increasing the production of processed food products using GMO crops is expected to fuel the adoption of GMO testing services.
Principal Consultant
Global sales increased at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2019 to 2023. For the next ten years (2024 to 2034), projections are that expense on such testing services will rise at 8.2% CAGR.
Between 2019 and 2023, there was growing anxiety regarding the use of GM ingredients in many manufacturing industries. Urban consumers are becoming increasingly inclined towards more natural and non-GMO products that are certified. During the COVID-19 pandemic, wholesome and natural food products experienced a substantial demand due to their possible health benefits.
This has further augmented GMO testing services for the assurance of compliance and transparency. Since producers are urged to make healthy claims about the product because health and safety are priorities on the side of the consumer, consumers accept their purchase.
During the period between 2024 and 2034, demand for GMO testing services is expected to witness a significant upward growth. Increasing regulatory stringency and greater consumer preference for non-GMO products are forcing manufacturers to be more dependent on testing services for conformity and gaining consumers' trust. The market is likely to grow steadily with innovation in testing technologies and increased concern for sustainability and transparency within the food supply chain.
Tier 1 Companies are called the market leaders of the industry since they are established all over the world with a majority of the business ecosystem. They have been known to be innovative, innovative, and meet the regulatory requirements within the GMO testing landscape. SGS SA and Intertek Group are some of them.
SGS SA is well known reputable inspection, verification, testing, and certification company. They specialize in comprehensive testing services such as GMO testing. Intertek Group is a global provider of quality assurance. It provides testing services on a wide range of tests including non-GMO verification and food safety testing.
Tier 2 companies play an important role in the market, providing specialized services and expertise to enhance competition and innovation in the GMO testing landscape. They are smaller or more specialized firms that offer valuable testing services. Mérieux Nutrisciences and ALS Limited are two such companies specialize in food safety and quality testing, including GMO testing services using molecular techniques like PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify and quantify GMOs.
Tier 3 companies in the GMO testing services market are the small players that work majorly in local or regional geographies. These companies will specialize in reliable testing services in compliance with local demand and regional regulatory standards. These smaller companies can work successfully in their niche markets as long as they commit to innovation and high standards of customer service in order to help local food manufacturers and producers.
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The following table shows the estimated growth rates of the top three territories. United Kingdom and The USA are set to exhibit high number testing, recording CAGRs of 6.2% and 5.5%, respectively, through 2034.
| Countries | CAGR 2024 to 2034 |
|---|---|
| The USA | 7.2% |
| United kingdom | 8.6% |
| China | 6.7% |
USA would lead the North American GMO testing services market through 2024 to 2034, driven by an increased demand for premium, natural, and health-conscious food. Almost 44% of consumers in the country are willing to pay as much as 75% more for trusted food brands. With increasing popularity of free-from foods, companies like Safe + Fair Food Co. in Chicago are creating many varieties to cater to a consumer base, which now focuses on non-GMO and other free-from varieties of food products, be it an appetizer or sweets and even meals.
Therefore, this independent business unit that specifically deals with free-from food is the principal factor through which the market for GMO testing services is going to flourish. Therefore, the USA is expected to continue being the world's market leader in this industry.
The stringent food safety regulations in the United Kingdom are expected to significantly boost the demand for GMO testing services in the coming years. UK market is well-set for growth due to stricter laws regarding GMO testing and because of the growing consumer resistance towards GMO products. Country's the strong GM crop production market, coupled with the implementation of EU rules and regulation, will be one among the top European GMO testing service markets.
Companies such as Intertek Group Plc are upgrading their skills in this regard by implementing new technologies with innovative solutions. This commitment not only strengthens the market position of Intertek but also meets the increasing demand for reliable testing services ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
The rising health-conscious consumers who are seeking transparency in food labeling will require stringent GMO testing, and therefore, this is a positive atmosphere that is likely to spur the growth of the GMO testing services market in the UK and Europe.
As the part of the five-year development strategy of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), China has initiated an all-out program for further strengthening the country's agricultural science and technology innovation capability. The adoption of biotechnology by China based on the status of China as a brewing geocorporate, with increased participation in international trade of food, will have implications to the world's economy as well as the ecology; and all these matters are clearly marked in the present political scenario.
However, China is facing significant challenges from anti-GMO campaigns that have emerged on social media, effectively persuading the public against the genetically modified organisms. Research points out that the lack of awareness and understanding of GMO technologies further fuels negative sentiments. Overcoming these issues is essential for China to fully exploit biotechnology for its agricultural sector and further enhance food security.
| Segment | PCR (By Technology) |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 53.1% |
PCR is known for its capability to detect very low levels of genetically modified DNA, which is an important means to guarantee food safety and compliance with regulations. This is also useful as the method can focus on very specific DNA fragments, hence improving the quality of the analysis in terms of identifying GMOs from a wide range of matrices, including crops, processed foods, and feeds for animals.
Additionally, PCR permits multiplex analysis, which means that DNA from a number of sources-grains, oils, and meat-can be analyzed in a single experiment. This attribute is quite important for broad testing and complying with all food safety regulations.
It also mentions such compliance with industry leaders as TUV SUD and FoodChain ID, as they have brought about this use of PCR technology. Hence, the tendency toward DNA analyses instead of those using the traditional proteins method indicates the importance PCR serves in the GMO testing services market, making it a top choice for accurate and reliable testing.
| Segment | Soy (By Crop Type) |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 22.7% |
Soy is one of the crops widely used in GMO testing because of its wide usage in food, feed, and industrial applications. Herbicide-tolerant genetically modified soy varieties are the leading types in global production, which calls for rigorous testing to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Companies like Bio-Rad Laboratories and Microbac Laboratories are leaders in the development of advanced testing solutions to guarantee that soy derivatives such as oil and lecithin are non-GMO. This is a very significant requirement in places like the European Union where strict labeling laws apply. Testing also supports export-import regulations since large producers such as the United States and Brazil provide for markets with different levels of tolerance to GMO.
The importance of soy as a staple crop makes it imperative that GMO testing be more stringent. This means full transparency first, then addresses all the consumer's apprehensions; it also plays to the organic and non-GMO certification, which is becoming more and more accepted in the world market. Increasing awareness of these factors is leading to innovation in testing methodologies and compliance solutions.
The global GMO testing services market is extremely competitive with a high degree of competition and intensity. Top firms include SGS SA, Eurofins Scientific, and Intertek Group plc, which make enormous investments in research and development that help them at the cutting edge.
These firms aim at developing innovative testing solutions, which will answer to increasing demand for compliance and food safety. Their efforts are not only improving the accuracy of GMO testing but also the sustainability of the industry.
To further expand their market presence, these companies are using strategies such as strategic partnerships and acquisitions. For instance, Eurofins Scientific has successfully increased its market share through the acquisition of smaller laboratories and integrating them into its wide network to ensure consistent quality and availability of testing services. SGS SA has, on the other hand, focused on building strong relationships with local producers and regulatory bodies to enhance its service offerings and capture a larger share of the market.
For instance:
As per method, the industry has been categorized into DNA Based Method and Protein Based Method.
As per technology, the industry has been categorized into ELISA Test, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Lateral Flow Devices (LFD).
This segment is further categorized into Corn, Rapeseed/Canola, Soy, Potato, Tomato and Other Crops.
As per Food Type, the industry has been categorized into Meat & meat products, Food additives, Bakery & confectionery, Breakfast cereals & snacks, Infant food and Others.
This segment is further categorized into Herbicide tolerance, Stacked and Insect resistance.
Industry analysis has been carried out in key countries of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Central Asia, Russia & Belarus and the Middle East & Africa.
The Global industry is estimated at a value of USD 2.6 billion in 2024.
Sales increased at 7.3% CAGR between 2019 and 2023.
By the technology segment, PCR technology holds the significant revenue share in the market.
The Western Europe territory is projected to hold a revenue share of 32.5% over the forecast period.
The industry is projected to grow at a forecast CAGR of 8.2% from 2024 to 2034.
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GMO Testing Services Market
