What’s the Portion of GMO vs. Non-GMO Crops Grown in North Carolina?

Answer: In 2014, North Carolina will produce around 1.7 million acres of soybeans, 860,000 acres of corn for grain and 470,000 acres of cotton. While hard data is not available, the vast majority (well over 90%) of these field crops will be GMO.  There are a growing number of farmers growing organic grains to be sold to the growing organic or natural dairy and meats market, but the acreage is still small. North Carolina is also a state of specialty crops. In 2014, we will grow over 66,000 acres of sweet potatoes, about 90,000 acres of peanuts and over 180,000 acres of tobacco. None of these specialty crops are GMO. We also grow a substantial amount of produce, ranging from cucumbers to cabbage. I don’t think many vegetable crops are GMO.

 

With regard to field crops and GMO prevalence, North Carolina is very similar to the rest of the U.S. and other major grain and cotton producers (e.g. Brazil).
–  Dr. Blake Brown, Hugh C. Kiger Professor and Extension Economist, Agricultural and Resource Economics, North Carolina State University

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