The global area of biotech crops grew 13% to 102 million hectares (252 million acres) in 2006. The US leads the world, with 54.6 million hectares (134.9 million acres) of biotech crops, followed by Argentina with 18 million hectares (44.5 million acres) and Brazil with 11.5 million hectares (28.4 million acres). India posted the largest proportional gain, moving from 1.3 million hectares (3.2 million acres) of pest-resistant cotton to 3.8 million hectares (9.4 million acres). A total of 10.3 million farmers from 22 countries planted biotech crops in 2006. Of these farmers, 90% were from developing countries and had small plots and few resources. In addition to the 22 nations that grow biotech crops, 29 countries have approved biotech crops for food and feed use since 1996. The leading biotech crops are soybeans (57% of the global biotech area), maize (25% of the global biotech area), cotton (13% of the global biotech area) and canola (5% of the global crop area). As estimated by Cropnosis, the global market value of biotech crops in 2006 was $6.15 billion, 21% of the global commercial seed market. The global market value of biotech crops is estimated to top $6.8 billion in 2007, a 10.6% increase.

Source: International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications