France to better market its maize seeds

This is stated by the National French Federation of Maize and Sorghum Seed Production (FNPSMS).

In total, about 128,500 hectares of maize seed have been harvested this year in the EU-28. Of this total, 58 000 hectares came from France. The share of France is around 45% in the EU which makes it the biggest producer of maize seeds. Hungary and Romania account for 21,000 hectares each. These yields were a little bit higher than the earlier forecasts for both France and the EU, despite a few local accidents in Central and Southern Europe, related to drought and high temperatures.

Good year for French crops

France’s production should end at 13.9 million tons this year, up 12% from last year’s 12.3 million tons, thanks to the excellent country-level yields. The current production year has been characterised by early (mid-April) plantings and a good progress of crops, due to weather conditions that have favoured very early flowering. The progress enabled growers to let the crop dry on the stalk and thus save their drying costs. The good 2017 yields were made possible by the genetic progress achieved especially in terms of the new varieties’ drought tolerance and early-planting characteristics, allowing for better light interception during the longer spring days.

Better branding of French corn seeds

France is Europe’s first producer, and world exporter of, maize seed. Some 60% of France’s seed production is exported. However, on an increasingly competitive market such as maize seed, France cannot take its position for granted and its industry has to do everything possible to secure its leadership. Thus every year, the FNPSMS carries out numerous activities to promote French seeds and high-performance genetics on the EU markets and in third countries, through specific events and various communication tools. To give these activities a strong profile and overall coherence, the actors in the industry have set out to develop a specific brand that would characterise the ’maize seed produced in France’ and symbolise the excellence of the industry. The ‘Maize in France’ brand and the related logo will represent the idea of quality and performance. Also, a website promoting the French maize seed industry and its assets is currently under development.

Source: FNPSMS