Market Trends of South Africa Forage Seed Industry
Increase in Forage Seed Imports
The high demand for forage seeds in the country is mainly satiated through the imports as the domestic production within the country is less. The crops such as Babala, Blue buffalo grass, Clover, Kikyo, and Lucerne are some of the major imported forage seeds. According to the ITC Trade Map, the country has imported 1.3 million tonnes of forage seeds in the year 2019 and the country has imported 185,432 kilograms of hybrid fodder sorghum seeds in the year 2018. According to the South African National Seed Organization (SANSOR), the majorly imported forage seed varieties include Cowpea, Oats, sun hemp, and Alfalfa. An increase in the demand from livestock for nutritional feed is majorly satiated through the natural forage whose seeds are available at a minimal price when compared to other commercial feeds. This has further boosted the demand for forage seeds in the country.
Grass Seeds Dominates the Market
Owing to the increasing growth of ruminants, the cultivation of forage crops in the country are enhancing, thereby increasing the demand for forage seeds. Grass crops such as Rye, Blue buffalo, Bottlebrush, Rhodes, Panicum, Weeping love, and Smut fingers are majorly cultivated in the country. As per ITC Trade Map, the import of ryegrass in South Africa is around USD 6,820 thousand in the year 2019. The companies are majorly focusing more on the production of open-pollinated seeds that drives the market in the country. The increasing trend of cultivating the grass for animals in the country is expected to enhance the seed market.
