USDA ERS Report Shows Recent Trends on GE Crop Adoption in the US

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service (USDA ERS) has released an update on the recent trends in genetically engineered (GE) crops in the United States. The data is based on the 2002 ERS report, Adoption of Bioengineered Crops (AER-810) for 1996-99 and National Agricultural Statistics Service, (annual) June Agricultural Survey for 2000-24.

The adoption of GE seeds in the United States has grown significantly since its introduction in 1996. In 2024, over 90% of U.S. corn, upland cotton, and soybean crops were cultivated using GE varieties. These three major crops make up the majority of GE-cultivated fields in the country.

The key points in the report include:

• HT soybean acreage reached its highest adoption in 2024 at 96%.
• In 2024, HT cotton acreage stood at 93% and 90% for HT corn.
• Domestic Bt corn acreage grew from approximately 8% in 1997 to 86% in 2024.
• Bt cotton acreage expanded from 15% in 1997 to 90% in 2024.
• Approximately 87% of cotton acres and 83% of corn acres were planted with stacked seeds in 2024.

For more information, read the report from USDA ERS.