Market Trends of France Seed Treatment Industry
Need for Stabilizing the Yield
A growing population coupled with declining arable land area creates the need for increased productivity. According to the World Bank, in 2016, agriculture land in France was 52.4% and is constantly decreasing. So the agricultural producers will be required to become more efficient and more productive to create enough food for a growing population. Various seed treatment techniques are being practiced to overcome the changing climatic factors and pest incidence so as make yield unaffected. According to FAO, in 2017 wheat yield was 72538 hg/ha in France but it has seen a decline in 2018 where the production was 68427 hg/ha. In 2016 the yield was even low to reach 52896 hg per ha. This indicates the fluctuating yield level in various years in France. So in order to stabilize this variating yield level seed treatment can be performed, Thus driving the seed treatment market.
Fungicides dominated the France Seed Treatment Market
Fungicides dominated the French seed treatment market and accounted for a market share of 52.3%, valued at USD 91.5 million in 2023. Moderate temperatures, typically found during spring and fall in France, can favor the development and spread of these fungal diseases. Many fungal pathogens thrive in temperatures between 15 °C and 25 °C, leading to increased disease incidence during these periods. Fusarium head blight, Septoria leaf spot, covered smut, seedling blights, Alternaria leaf spot, sclerotinia rot, and charcoal rot are major seed-borne diseases in the country.
Wheat is a major cereal crop grown in the country, and various fungal diseases such as leaf blotch, leaf rust, yellow rust, powdery mildew, and Fusarium head blight cause yield losses. Wheat disease management in the country is mainly based on the use of chemical fungicides and cultivating disease resistance varieties. The rise in fungal infestations in major crops has resulted in an increased use of fungicides.