AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE PRODUCTION EFFECTS OF ADOPTING GM SEED TECHNOLOGY: THE CASE OF FARMERS IN ARGENTINA

GRAPH 1. Corn and Soybean Planted in Argentina⁶

Since the 1978-79 season the area planted with soybean in Argentina has steadily
grown (Graph 1).⁷ The total growth from 1978 to 2003 reached 669%, while total
production went from 2.5 million metric tons to 35 million in 2003. During the same
period the area planted with corn declined 6.5%, but production increased 72.9% due to
improvements in yield. The boom in soybean production has propelled Argentina into
the spotlight in international markets. Total production of corn represented just 2.6% of
total world production for the period 1999-2000 to 2001-2002. Nonetheless, total exports
of coarse grains were 11.6% of total world exports (Table 2).

Argentina and the United States are among the largest exporters of grain and oilseeds
(Tables 1 and 2). In the case of soybeans, the United States and Argentina represent
58.2% of total world exports, while Argentina is the main exporter of soybean oil and
meal. The United States and Argentina are the leading exporters of coarse grains (Table
2). The United States also leads the world in wheat exports, and Argentina ranks fifth

6 For graph data, see Secretaria de Agricultura, Ganaderia Pesca y Alimentos (SAGPyA), Estimaciones
Agricolas, http://www.sagpya.mecon.gov.ar/new/0-0/agricultura/otros/estimaciones/basestima.php
(last visited Mar. 18, 2006).

7 See id.

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