Main results from a recent European seed supplier survey

Freya Schäfer, Stefano Orsini, Maaike Raaijmakers

June 2-2021

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grantagreement No 727230 and by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) under contract number17.00090. The information contained in this communication only reflects the author’s view. Neither the Research Executive

Agency nor SERI is responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided.

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• A survey with 210 seed suppliers and breeders in Europe was conducted by FiBL-DE in 2019-2020. Results suggest that:

LIVESEED seed supplier survey

o Organic seed production and sales increased in the last 3 years mainly in Central Europe

o Seed companies mainly list organic seed offers in their national database, but are active in organic seed trade in more countries

o Need of phasing-out derogations to avoid a ‘supply-demand paradox’

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• Responses to questions relating to organic seed production suggested that:

o Organic seed production is especially more challenging in terms of yield losses & volatility and in terms of pest & diseases

o It is difficult to find enough knowledgeable farmers and locations for organic seed production

o There is a need for stricter rules for derogations;

o for more organically allowed seed treatments;

o for research to reduce the costs of organic seed production;

o and for information on the demand for organic seed in/outside the EU.

LIVESEED seed supplier survey

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LIVESEED seed supplier survey

• Responses to questions relating to organic breeding suggested that:

• Most respondents are convinced that organic breeding for local adaptation, for organic farming and for taste are key to improve performance of organic production

• However, they doubt that there is sufficient return of investment to justify separate breeding programs

• Only 10% of all respondents are exclusively involved in organic breeding

LIVESEED seed supplier survey

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• Some conclusions and recommendationso To stimulate the availability of organic seed in Eastern European countries

and the Baltic states:

o Local organic seed trade via wholesalers should be stimulated

o Seed cleaning facilities can increase the amount of certified organic seed on the market

o Reduction of the costs of organic seed production can stimulate larger seed companies to invest in organic seed

o To mitigate the supply-demand paradox, in addition to stricter regulation

o Communication between the stakeholders must be stimulated

o Seed expert groups can play an important role in this

LIVESEED seed supplier survey

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Thank you for your attention

Any questions?

LIVESEED seed supplier survey