Market Trends of France Seed Treatment Industry
Increasing Demand for High Quality Seeds
The increasing global demand for cereal grains, including wheat and barley, is exerting pressure on French agricultural production. To meet rising domestic and global consumption needs, farmers are increasingly adopting seed treatment measures to enhance crop yields. According to ITC Trade Map data, France exported 6.8 million metric tons of barley in 2023, representing a 22.5% increase from the previous year's export volume of 5.6 million metric tons. In response to this demand, market participants are developing advanced seed treatment solutions to improve seed quality. In 2023, Syngenta Crop Protection collaborated with Aphea.Bio to develop novel biological seed treatment solutions across multiple European countries, including France. As part of this initiative, Aphea.Bio introduced ACTIV, a biostimulant applied as a seed treatment for wheat, based on beneficial microorganisms, to European markets.
Climate change has significantly affected the French agricultural sector, particularly through prolonged drought periods, resulting in decreased crop yields. The French High Council for the Climate (HCC) annual report for 2022 indicated that several agricultural sectors experienced substantial yield declines, ranging from 10% to 30%. This climate-induced challenge further underscores the importance of innovative seed treatment solutions in maintaining agricultural productivity.
Rising Adoption of Integrated Pest Management
Seed treatments play a crucial role in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, which aim to reduce pesticide use by protecting crops from pests and diseases during early growth stages. The French government and the European Union are actively promoting IPM strategies among farmers through various initiatives. One notable example is the IPMworks project, an EU-wide farm network demonstrating and promoting cost-effective IPM strategies. It is a 4-year project that started in October 2020 and ended in September 2024. This project was financed by H2020, involves 31 partners from 16 European countries (including France), and is coordinated by the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE). Such initiatives are encouraging French farmers to adopt seed treatment practices before sowing especially in Organic Farming.
In addition to promoting domestic IPM practices, France also imports treated seeds. The country requires that the treatment used on these imported seeds be approved either by France or by at least one other EU Member State, according to the French Interprofessional Organisation for Seeds and Plants. This regulatory framework ensures the quality and safety of imported treated seeds while supporting the broader adoption of IPM strategies. The combination of increasing adoption of IPM practices and the regulated import of treated seeds is anticipated to drive market growth in the forecast period, further solidifying the importance of seed treatments in French agriculture.
