The French seed maize and seed sorghum producing sector is ranked number one in Europe, and is world leader for exports.  It is organised as an inter-branch structure, covering seed farmers and seed companies:  the National Federation of Seed Maize and Seed Sorghum Production (FNPSMS - Fédération Nationale de la Production de Semences de Maïs et de Sorgho).  The FNPSMS is pleased to see the adjustment to the production price of grain maize, in response to the global context where there has been an increase in demand together with unchanged or even declining supply because of weather contingencies.

For a long time now, and in particular since the introduction of hybrids, seed farmers have realized what a difference can be made through genetic improvements and dynamic development of varieties, with proven technical achievements.  The growing of varieties developed through plant breeding as practised by FNPSMS partners (seed growers and companies) has economic effects that correlate directly to grain maize production.  The cost price of a hectare of seed maize is actually the cost price of grain maize plus specific charges for the know-how involved and for technical requirements (e.g. sowing, detasseling, harvesting and labour). 
So that France’s seed maize production network can continue to thrive, the difference in profit generated needs to be sufficiently attractive compared to grain maize and must also correlate to developments, with logical consequences on price adjustments for maize seed units sold on the market and therefore for the price paid by users.    

Contact : Béatrice GUENEBEAUD –  Tel : 01 47 23 48 32
E-mail : beatrice.guenebeaud@agpm.com