OECD Study Provides New and Detailed Evidence on Market Concentration in Seed and GM Technology

The results of a study conducted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) are now available. The book Concentration in Seed Markets provides an in-depth assessment of structural changes in global markets for seed and biotechnology based on new data on market concentration across a broad range of countries and crops, and considers potential policy responses.

Recent mergers in the seed industry have led to concerns about market concentration and its potential effects on prices, product choice, and innovation. The OECD study provides new and detailed empirical evidence on the degree of market concentration in seed and GM technology across a broad range of crops and countries, and analyzes the causes and potential effects of concentration. It also explains how competition authorities have responded to recent mergers, and suggests policy options to help safeguard and stimulate competition and innovation in plant breeding by avoiding unnecessary regulatory barriers, by facilitating access to genetic resources and intellectual property, as well as by stimulating public and private R&D. As this study shows, policymakers have several levers besides competition policy to ensure an innovative and competitive seed industry.

For more details about this study or to access the book, visit the OECD iLibrary.