The 6th issue of "See the World" will introduce the relevant information of the vegetable seed industry in Japan, India and other countries and the recent price trends of vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers in India.
Information on the vegetable seed industry in foreign countries
01 Bayer develops high-yield vegetable seeds in India
Over the past few years, Bayer CropScience (BCS) has launched high-yield, disease-resistant hybrids such as tomatoes, peppers, okra, bitter melon and zucchini in India. Plans are under way to introduce hybrid varieties of sweet corn, kale, cucumber, watermelon and onion. Bayer is committed to exploring gene-editing technologies, leveraging India's germplasm resource pool and global breeding channels to accelerate the development of hybrid seeds.
Last year, a number of prominent agricultural scientists in India sent a letter to Prime Minister Modi, hoping to exclude gene-editing technology from the purview of the Genetic Engineering Approval Board (GEAC). In March, the Indian government exempted certain types of gene-edited crops from biosafety regulations applicable to GM crops and no longer regulate them as GM crops. The move is expected to expand the use of gene-editing technology and accelerate genetic improvement of the country's crops.
Bayer plans to tap India for high-yielding vegetable seeds. Source: Financial Express May 11, 2022
02 Japan Vegetable Seedling Market
There are about 50 seedling producers in Japan. Seed production for food crops is dominated by the Government, while vegetables and flowers are mainly produced by private seed producers.
Takii Seed Co., Ltd., Sakata Seeds, and Kaneko Seeds are Japan's three major comprehensive seed and seedling producers, the first two companies are mainly engaged in seedlings, and Kaneko Seedlings Co., Ltd. operates both agricultural materials and agricultural equipment.
Takii seedlings have production bases in 14 countries and export products to 120 countries and regions. The main products are vegetable seeds, including cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, mainly exported to the Middle East and other countries. Sales for fiscal years from May 2020 to April 2021 were 50.2 billion yen (about 2,555.18 million yuan), an increase of 1.2% from the previous fiscal year, and profit before tax was 4.5 billion yen (about 229.05 million yuan). At present, Takii produces 70% of the Japanese market for tomato and eggplant seeds and 60% for carrot seeds.
Bantian Seedlings has 30 production bases in 19 countries and exports its products to 130 countries and regions. Seed products mainly include broccoli, spinach, sweet corn, tomatoes and so on. Consolidated sales for fiscal years from June 2020 to May 2021 were 69,218 million yen (approximately RMB3,523.2 million), an increase of 12.2% over the previous fiscal year, and operating profit was 9,725 million yen (approximately RMB495.0 million), an increase of 30% over the previous fiscal year.
Kaneko Seeds During the pandemic, the flower seedling and agricultural input business (pesticides, herbicides, etc.) performed well. Consolidated sales for the fiscal year from June 2020 to May 2021 were 60,779 million yen (about 3,093.65 million yuan), an increase of 4.5% over the previous fiscal year, of which sales of seedlings were 8,332 million yen (about 424.1 million yuan), an increase of 4.2% over the previous fiscal year. The characteristic variety cultivated by the gold seedling is the red east sweet potato (Beniazuma).
Source: Nikkei Industry Summary Report April 18, 2022
03 Ireland proposes to stock up on seed potatoes now
Given that the Brexit impasse shows no signs of abating, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority (Teagasc) of the Irish Department of Agriculture is urging potato growers to contact seed potato producers now to stock up on seed potatoes for 2023.
According to the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Agency consultant, the supply of seed potatoes in many varieties is tight this year, and growers are more likely to choose a mixture of authorized seed potatoes and self-retained seed potatoes to meet the sowing demand in 2022; it is recommended that potato growers contact local agricultural wholesalers to order seed potatoes in 2023, or contact seed potato producers directly to book seed potatoes for the next season.
Potato growers urged to order seed now for 2023 — or take a 'huge risk'
Second, India's vegetable industry information
01 Average daily price changes of several vegetables in India (4.15-5.15)
From April 15 to May 15, 2022, the average daily price changes of some vegetables in India are:
▲Red pepper minimum price 7.35 yuan / kg (April 23) High price 21.06 yuan / kg (May 9)
▲The highest price of onions is 2.18 yuan / kg (April 26) The lowest price is 0.43 yuan / kg (May 8)
▲Garlic highest price 5.32 yuan / kg (April 15) Low price 1.92 yuan / kg (May 8)
▲Ginger maximum price 5.67 yuan / kg (April 25) Low price 1.12 yuan / kg (May 8)
▲The lowest price of taro is 2.79 yuan / kg (April 15) The highest price is 9.82 yuan / kg (April 17)
Source: Price data for several markets in indian states. Note: For ease of reading, the translator converted the unit (former unit rupee/quintal) into "yuan/kilogram" and redrawn it.
Latest prices of vegetables in India Source: https://www.commodityinsightsx.com
02 Indian tomato prices rise
Affected by the rainfall, tomato production in the Salem region of Tamil Nadu, India, has dropped sharply, and the price increase has been significant, from 10 rupees per kilogram (equivalent to 0.87 yuan) in early April to 50 rupees per kilogram (equivalent to 4.37 yuan).
Faced with continued high temperatures and shortages of supply in the market, tomato prices in Bangalore, India, rose rapidly. From April to May, the price of tomatoes is generally 50-55 rupees per kilogram (equivalent to 4.4-4.8 yuan), and now the price of tomatoes has risen to 75-80 rupees per kilogram (equivalent to 6.5-7 yuan).
Tomato prices increase to 50 per kg Source: The Times of India May 2, 2022
How the rising temperature is making your tomatoes costlier Source: Hindustan Times May 5, 2022
03 India rainfall affects pepper production
Over the past three years, unusual rains have affected pepper production in Canacona, Goa, India, with yields falling by around 40%-60%. Pepper production has decreased, but demand is strong, with prices rising by about 30%-40% and currently reaching 900-1200 rupees (equivalent to 78-105 yuan) per kilogram.
Canacona chillies hit by unseasonal rainfall Source: The Times of India May 4, 2022
04 Indian onion prices fell
The area under cultivation of Kalahandi onions in the Indian state of Odi has increased from 2,200 hectares last year to 2,450 hectares, and the wholesale price of Raipur varieties of onions in the local market is currently 20 rupees / kg (about 1.7 yuan / kg) and the local varieties are 15 rupees / kg (about 1.3 yuan / kg).
Gujatra has about 88,100 hectares of onion cultivation this year, an increase of 28,100 hectares over last year, and the output is about 2.392 million tons, an increase of about 35% over last year, with oversupply and prices falling. On May 9, the state's red onions were as low as 200 rupees per quintal (about 0.17 yuan / kg) and white onions as low as 310 rupees / quintal (about 0.27 yuan / kg). In the same period last year, the lowest prices for both were about 975 rupees per quintal (about 0.84 yuan / kg) and 1095 rupees / quintal (about 0.95 yuan / kg) respectively.
Onions likely to bring tears of joy for farmers this year Source: New Indian Express May 8, 2022
Gujarat government offers 2/kg financial support to onion farmers Source: BusinessLine Online May 9, 2022
Indian ginger farmers are plagued by low prices
Ginger farmers in the Indian states of Kerala and Karnataka typically harvest ginger at their highest price point in early April. Due to the sharp decline in ginger prices this year, a large number of ginger farmers have not harvested and are still waiting to see the market.
Recently, at the Wayanad agricultural market, the price of ginger was 1000-1200 rupees (equivalent to 87.3-105 yuan) per bag (60kg), compared with 2300 rupees (equivalent to 201 yuan) per bag in the same period last year. This year's ginger planting area is four times that of previous years, and overproduction and pests and diseases are the main reasons for the low price of ginger this year.
Low price leaves ginger farmers in distress
Source: The Hindu Online May 5, 2022
Source: National Characteristic Vegetable Industry Technology System Industrial Economic Research Office, Hebei Agricultural University Characteristic Vegetable Industry Information Monitoring Team. Please indicate when reprinting