Evidence of price premiums for non-GM grains in world markets

World markets for a number of grains (soybeans, corn, canola and cottonseed) have become differentiated into GM,certified non-GM and organic segments, which has created opportunities and challenges for grain market participants.This paper summarises the evidence to date on the extent of price premiums for non-GM products throughout theworld. A broad economic framework is employed to explain the observed pattern of price premiums.The key conclusion of the analysis is that world grains markets for which there are GM variants are dominated by GMgrains, but there are niches for certified non-GM and organically produced grains, for which price premiums are paid.With some certified non-GM grains for a specific purpose, price premiums appear to be increasing.Apart from consumer attitudes, the key drivers of price premiums are mandatory labelling of GM products in some keygrain consuming countries (particularly high income countries), higher production costs for non-GM crops and the costof identity preservation.