Market Trends of africa seed Industry
Grains and cereals dominated the row crops segment, with corn as the major contributor driven by high demand from processing industry
- In Africa, row crops dominated the acreage under cultivation, accounting for more than 81.3% of the cultivated area, i.e., 275.2 million hectares in 2022. The major row crops cultivated in the region are corn, oilseeds, sorghum, and rice. In 2022, corn held a major share of 19.2% in the row crops segment. Additionally, the area under row crops increased by 6.3% between 2017 and 2022 due to an increase in the region's corn and soybean demand. Corn is the region's main food source for over 300 million people. Sorghum is one of the major row crops cultivated in the region. The cultivation area of sorghum decreased in Africa from 29 million ha in 2017 to 27.4 million ha in 2022. Producers preferred to plant more profitable crops, like corn and oilseed.
- Nigeria was the major country cultivating different field crops such as grains, cereals, and oilseeds. It accounted for 14.3% of the region’s area used to cultivate row crops in 2022. The higher area under row crops is due to the increased demand from processing industries and the higher consumption demand of grains and cereals in the country. Furthermore, corn was the major crop cultivated in the country. It accounted for 19.9% of the country's area under row crops in 2022. There was a 10% increase in the cultivated area for corn between 2020 and 2022 as it is one of the most consumed crops globally due to an increase in the demand from corn-based oil-generating industries.
- The higher demand for grains and cereals as staple crops and increased demand for bio-fuel generation in the global market is increasing the area of cultivation for field crops during the forecast period.
Disease resistance is a highly preferred trait in cabbage and peas cultivation because it can combat prevalent diseases such as black rot in cabbages and floral diseases in peas
- Cabbage is one of Africa's most widely cultivated exotic leafy vegetables. The demand from restaurants for fresh salads, soups, sautees, and typical summer vegetables drives the demand for cabbage. Farmers cultivate cabbage using high-quality seeds with multiple desirable traits due to the growing demand for high-quality foods.
- Seed varieties with traits such as uniformity in head size, foliage color, adaptability to different growing conditions, early maturity, and disease tolerance are boosting the market's growth due to higher preference by the growers in the region. In cabbage, black rot is the major disease in the region caused by Xanthomonas campestris PV. Campestris (XCC) results in 10-50% yield losses. Major players in the market, such as Bayer AG, BASF SE, Sakata Seeds Corporation, and Syngenta Group, offer cultivars that resist diseases, including black rot, mildews, and other leaf diseases, along with higher productivity. These seed varieties are witnessing high demand to prevent crop losses.
- Peas are an important crop in many parts of the African region. Farmers cultivate pea seeds that resist fungal, viral, and nematode infections. These seeds are also known for their wider adaptability to different growing conditions, especially stressful conditions. They possess high peas per pod and desirable pod shape and size.
- Therefore, introducing new seed varieties with traits such as disease resistance, wider adaptability, etc., along with high yield, is projected to boost the growth of the seed market during the forecast period.
OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- Roots and bulbs are the leading segment in the vegetable cultivation area, primarily driven by the extensive cultivation of onion and potatoes
- Disease-resistant traits dominated the sorghum and soybean seeds market
- Hybrid breeding is applied mostly in developing high-yielding varieties with resistance against pests and diseases, along with the increasing focus on genetically modified hybrids
- Disease resistance is a popular trait in African corn and wheat cultivation due to the significant impact of insects and diseases on crop productivity and agricultural sustainability in the region
- Disease-resistant traits are the primary choice of tomato and chili producers in Africa, driven by the prevalence of diseases such as leaf curl and floral diseases in these crops.