Evolution of the Demand for Non-GMO Corn and Soybeans

Abstract

<p>When ISU had a GMO conference on the ICN in late April this year, the key issue was a regulatory-related one: what to do with the few GMO corn events that had not been approved by the European Union (EU). As the 1999 harvest season approaches, the issue has shifted from one centered on a foreign government regulatory process to one of consumer acceptance. Currently, the portion of demand that is emerging as actual or potential non-GMO is the direct human-food and beverage market abroad, and the domestic corn processing market. Market conditions for non-GMO and GMO grain are highly fluid. Demand-related developments have progressed rapidly in the past two and one-half months, as indicated by the sequence of events below:</p>