The Bt-cotton market: analysis of the Chinese situation within an international perspective

摘要

About ten countries have adopted Bt-cotton since its commercial release in the USA in 1996. This release led immediately to concern about Monsanto's monopoly and the loss of varietal diversity in adopting countries. There are very few studies addressing the actual state of the markets of cotton varieties in the adopting countries. This article proposes an analysis of such markets in China along with what is observed in other countries where Bt-cotton is grown. Monsanto's monopoly in supplying Bt-genes, indeed encountered in all countries except China, must be distinguished from a monopoly of Monsanto's varieties. The latter monopoly is not always confirmed, and specifically not in China. In this country very active competition has taken place with a tendency for breeders to propose varieties integrating both Bt and hybrid F1 traits. Furthermore, competition has become excessive and implies negative effects to producers as well as to breeding and seed distribution companies, hence forcing the Chinese government to engage in regulation policies.