Canada's Seed Industry

An estimated nine out of every ten bites of food available to the world today begin with the planting of seeds. The Canadian seed industry produces a wide variety of quality seeds for sowing including major cereals and oilseeds, special crops, pulses, forages and turf grasses, ornamental and garden seeds, to sustain Canada’s vibrant agriculture sector as well as to meet the needs of foreign agriculture sectors.

According to the International Seed Federation, the Canadian seed industry generates some $750 millions in domestic and export sales, annually. The sector is composed of nearly 170 seed companies and 5,100 commercial seed producers.

Canadian commercial seed producers and companies produce and market both certified and common seeds to meet the diverse needs of growers. Certified seeds are verified for their genetic identity and purity by an external field inspector, and are used by farmers who want additional assurance on seed quality, varietal purity and performance. Common seeds are mainly found with forage crops. Approximately one third of forage seed production is sold as common seed, mainly in Canada and the United States.

Seed Organizations

Several of Canada's seed organizations are active in international seed networks. The main organizations are: Canadian Seed Growers' Association (CSGA), Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA), Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada, and Canadian Seed Institute.

The Canadian Seed Growers' Association (CSGA) is the sole pedigreeing agency in Canada for all agricultural seed crops except potatoes and tree seeds. The CSGA is made up of 5,100 specialized seed producers in nine provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

The Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA)is a voluntary association of 173 seed companies from across Canada. It represents a broad cross section of Canadian businesses that develop, produce and sell seed. The CSTA represents nearly all Canadian seed exporters and Canada's seed exports. Membership varies widely from small firms specializing in garden seed and herbs to large co-operatives in Western Canada. The Association represents large multinational corporations with diverse interest as well as small family-run businesses. Many of the multinational seed companies have private plant breeding programs and are active in biotechnology. Members of the CSTA are involved in a number of initiatives, from variety exchange agreements at the R&D level to contractual agreements for production of seed for export and import. In addition, many member firms are involved in seed multiplication under contract for out-of-country customers.

The Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada (CSAAC) represents a group of professionals engaged in the assessment of the quality sampling and testing of seeds. CSAAC members are hired by private seed testing laboratories or are part of staff members of seed companies who carry out their own seed analysis. Seed analysts carry out seed purity, germination, and vigor tests, and identify diseases and prepare certificates of analysis for seed grading purposes.

The Canadian Seed Institute (CSI) provides specific quality assurance services to the seed industry. The CSI accredits seed companies and seed testing laboratories to help them comply with the Seed Act and Regulations, which govern the seed sector.

The CSTA, the CSI, the CSGA and Grain Growers of Canada have teamed to launch the Seed Sector Review to analyze key regulatory challenges facing industry.

Area of Production and Yield

According to the Canadian Seed Growers' Association, the total area of production of pedigreed seed amounted to 512,394 hectares in 2002, which is a decrease of 5.5% from the 543,934 hectares in 2001, which can be attributed to the poor weather of 2002. The majority of seed produced is used for domestic purposes although more could be produced and exported depending on international price.

Disposition

Nearly three quarters of the seed produced in Canada is used for domestic purposes. The well-established domestic market provides a solid base for seed companies can better serve international markets. And because Canada already exports seed to approximately 40 different countries, including United States, Europe and China, it has the capacity and mechanisms to produce and export even more high-quality seeds.

The volume of seed exports has declined by 25% from 292 thousand tonnes in 1999 - 2000 to 219 thousand tonnes in 2000-2001. This is largely due to unfavorable exchange rate vis-a-vis European currencies and concerns with genetically modified crops. However, the volume of seed exports increased by 31% in 2001-02 and remained stable in 2002-03 preliminary data.

Global seed trade data is available at International Seed Federation.

For the latest market information and analysis available from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, please consult the following publications:

• Canada: Pulse and Special Crops Outlook
• Bi-weekly Bulletin
• Drought Watch