Browse Data and Analysis

The estimated area planted to Genetically Engineered (GE) crops in Canada was down 2 percent in 2018, due primarily to lower soybean area in the prairie provinces.

The first commercial sales of products of a genetically engineered animal, the AquAdvantage salmon, occurred in Canada in 2017.

Argentina continues to be the third largest producer of biotech crops, producing 14 percent of the world´s total biotech crops.

Honduras allows commercial production of genetically engineered (GE) crops. As of October 2016, planted GE corn areas increased by 13 percent to 38,700 hectares from the previous year.

Agricultural biotechnology policy has not been a priority of Chile’s current administration. FAS/Santiago expects Chile’s agricultural biotechnology policies to remain unchanged.

Canadian authorities have recently approved two genetically engineered products for both human consumption and animal feed use.

Although Ecuador maintains a number of anti-biotech laws and regulations, there is minimal enforcement, and trade in cotton and soybean products continues.

Guatemala, at present, allows the importation of genetically engineered (GE) agricultural and food products, but has not approved the use of GE plants for agricultural production.

Honduras is the only country in Central America that allows commercial production and field trials of agricultural biotech crops.

Recent high-profile activism against biotechnology has created uncertainty among those involved in production and research of biotechnology products in Costa Rica.