Brazil
August, 2008
Source:
MNagro Consulting Seeds &
Vegetables
As usual several subjects were discussed at the annual seminar
of the Brazilian Horticulture Society. The seminar participants
represent the group of people dealing with the different aspects
of the vegetable business. They are really “full time” vegetable
oriented.
One of the sections of the seminar discussed this year was
the vegetable seed market in the world and also in Brazil.
The Congress President, Dr José Usan, and the President of the
Brazilian Horticulture Society, Dr Paulo Cesar T. Mello, invited
Marcio Nascimento from MNagro Consulting Seeds & Vegetable to
present the theme.
Marcio started his presentation by comparing worldwide seeds
sales with agrochemicals and therefore the percentage of
vegetable chemicals used on vegetable with the worldwide
vegetable seed market.
This was followed by the discussion of some trends on vegetable
worldwide seed market, for examples as the big industry
concentration happened on recent years.
A brief outlook for the future was also discussed.
As far as Brazilian vegetable seeds, Marcio pointed out the
difficulties to get good statistical information about the
value of that market.
Especially in the last 2 years, its value in dollars
increased significantly due to the exchange rate variation
between the local currency and the dollar.
The last information published by
ABCSEM referring to the year
of 2003 indicates that the market has passed the U$100
million mark if we consider prices paid by growers. Of course this
includes only species that use seeds and not other like potatoes,
garlic, etc.
Efforts are being made by ABCSEM to get a more accurate figure.
Brazilian vegetable seed sales are concentrated in the hands of 3
seed companies.
The majority of multinational vegetable seed companies are present
in Brazil and generally speaking they made several investments
last years, especially building facilities/ team for product
evaluation.
Another fact is that 3 states in Brazil concentrate about 50% of
the vegetable seed sales. Seven vegetable species represent about
70% of the total seed value.
Marcio discussed also some recent changes in the vegetable seed
market which increase the value of vegetable seed sales.
According to him, the conversion of summer carrot market to hybrids
is the latest and most interesting fact for the seed industry.
Other species, such as watermelon, are also continuing to move to hybrids or are moving to high value hybrids like the melon
market moving more from yellow types to Piel de Sapo. Galia and
other types.
The consultant also pointed out other species that have a
significant open pollinated utilization and are an opportunity
for seed companies to introduce hybrids. They are onion, okra,
beet.
The presentation also included some discussion about vegetable
consumption in Brazil and a specific analysis of the fresh market
tomato crop. It showed a decrease in the planted area, an
increase in the volume delivered
to the market and a decrease in the price paid to the growers.
This is a scenario for 10 years starting on 1995 through 2005.
The first 6 months of 2008 showed a very high price for fresh market
tomatoes.
The presentation concluded with a discussion of how domestic
vegetable seed companies in Brazil can remain competitive. Also
how “tropical” vegetable varieties and hybrids can be used
in other tropical areas.
MNagro Consulting Seeds & Vegetables is a consultant company
dedicate to the seeds and vegetable market created in early
2007. This is lead by
Marcio Nascimento with more than 30 years of experience on
this market. |
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