Buy the full study
Summary
The global seed market, valued at $63 billion in 2021, is on an upward trajectory and is expected to reach $86.7 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. This growth is fuelled by the increase in the world's population, which is set to rise from 8 billion in 2022 to 9.7 billion by 2050, intensifying food requirements and consequently stimulating demand for agricultural seeds. In France, the seed market is particularly robust, reaching sales of 3.3 billion euros for the period 2021 - 2022, an increase of 9.6%, despite fluctuations.
France also enjoys a strong position in trade, being the world's leading exporter of seeds, with a high coverage rate averaging around 220%, and European countries being the leading recipients of its exports. On the domestic market, corn and sorghum dominate in terms of sales, but straw cereals and protein crops dominate in terms of volume. The French seed market has held up well, suffering little from the Covid-19 crisis and overcoming difficulties such as the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, which began in February 2022 and threatens almost 12% of French seed exports.
Despite these challenges, the industry remains dynamic, with significant investment in R&D, as evidenced by Vilmorin & Cie, which devotes 16% of its sales to innovation and maintaining a leading position.
Dynamics and trends in the French agricultural seeds market
The French agricultural seeds market reflects a dynamic, fast-growing sector, deeply linked to demographic trends and climate change. With an impressive 400 million hectares under cultivation by 2021, France has established itself not only as one of Europe's leading seed consumers, but also as the world's leading seed exporter, with export values often exceeding 1.5 billion euros. The main destinations for European exports are Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, with important markets in Mexico and Morocco.
underpinning this robust market is ever-increasing demographic growth, with projections estimating the world's population at nearly 10 billion by 2050. This growth inevitably fuels a steady rise in demand for agricultural production and, by extension, for the seeds and grains essential to this sector.
Climate change is also driving an increased need for adaptable agricultural varieties, a demand to which seed companies are responding by investing heavily in R&D, which for market leader Vilmorin & Cie will represent around 16% of sales by 2021.
At national level, the French seed industry reflects an upward trajectory, as evidenced by the sector's 9.6% growth by 2022, reaching a market size of around 3.3 billion euros. Corn and sorghum dominate sales contributions, but straw cereals and protein crops account for the bulk of market volume.
In terms of trade, the French seed sector shows a very favorable balance sheet, with a coverage rate approaching 220%. Around two-thirds of French seed exports are destined for European markets.
Despite the complexities introduced by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, which previously accounted for almost 12% of French seed exports, the industry has met these challenges effectively.
The value chain involves breeders, growers, producers and distributors working together to meet public demand. Although there are several categories of seed, such as agricultural, vegetable and horticultural seeds, cereals and protein crops are the most widely grown seeds in France, placing the country first in Europe.
From a regulatory point of view, the French market is subject to strict criteria for the registration and marketing of seeds, including official cataloguing of new varieties, the protection of plant varieties and the protection of plant breeders' rights.these include official cataloguing of new varieties, plant variety protection and meticulous production protocols rooted in food safety standards. Imports are also subject to rigorous regulations, guaranteeing the equivalence of controls and certifications. The global seed market runs parallel to that of France.
Key players shaping the French seed market landscape
The French seed market is supported and driven by a diverse range of companies contributing to the various stages of the seed value chain. Here's a look at some of the key players driving agricultural innovation and the seed industry forward in France:
- Vilmorin & Cie is the world leader in the vegetable seeds sector, and a testament to French expertise in this field. With its considerable heritage and strategy of investment in research and development, the company reinvests 16% of its sales in R&D, demonstrating its commitment to innovation. Vilmorin & Cie has strategically targeted niche markets such as fennel, lamb's lettuce, spinach, chard and radish, demonstrating a keen sense of growth opportunities.
- Limagrain, through its seed subsidiary Limagrain Europe, has positioned itself among the market leaders, not only in France but worldwide. As a cooperative group founded and managed by French farmers, Limagrain has a vested interest in meeting the needs of agricultural professionals and individual consumers alike.
- Bayer, a name known the world over, also makes a significant contribution to the French market with its seeds division, Bayer Seeds SAS. The company, known for its innovations in crop science and seed genetics, plays a key role in the seed production and distribution segments, offering a range of products that meet the different needs of farmers.
- A major player in the seed market, Euralis Semences offers farmers a portfolio of seeds adapted to different European climates. Its commitment to quality and sustainable agriculture has had a positive impact on the market, stimulating innovation in regionally adapted seed varieties.
- RAGT Semences offers farmers a wide choice of seeds, from cereals to forages and protein crops. Its product range includes a series of varieties that promise high yield and good resistance, essential factors for the success of farmers and the food production industry.
- As part of the KWS Group, KWS France focuses on crop breeding to improve the genetic potential and performance of varieties. Its significant role in straw cereals and protein crops makes it a cornerstone of the French agricultural landscape.
- Specializing in vegetable seeds, Gautier Semences SAS is another example of a French company playing a leading role in the horticultural seed market.
to understand this market
Detailed content
Inforamtion
- Number of pages : 30 pages
- Format : Digital and PDF versions
- Last update : 13/03/2023
Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Definition and presentation
The seeds market in France is a study of the economic activity related to the primary inputs used in the agricultural sector to sow crops.
Agricultural seeds and grains are consumable agri-supply products. There are several product categories in this market:
- Agricultural seeds: there are many types of agricultural seeds, the most widespread being barley, soybean, millet, rice, legumes, corn, straw cereals (wheat and barley), sunflower, rapeseed, flax and cotton.
- Vegetable seeds: segmented by vegetable type, these include cabbage, melon, corn, eggplant, bell pepper, lettuce, carrot, watermelon, onion and many others.
- Seeds: there are different criteria for classifying seeds. Firstly, their water content (dry seeds or watery seeds), then the proportion and distribution of their tissues (seeds with perisperm, seeds with albumen or seeds without albumen or exalbuminous seeds), and finally their envelope(naked seeds, simple naked fruits, simple clothed fruits, compound fruits).
In 2021, France will benefit from around 400 million hectares of cultivation of these products. France is not only Europe's leading consumer market for seeds, but also the world's leading exporter: in recent years, France has exported an average of over 1.5 billion euros worth of seeds worldwide. In 2021, its top three export customers are European: Spain accounted for 19% of total exports, Italy 16%, the Netherlands 12%, and the top three were followed in fourth and fifth place by Mexico (5%) and Morocco (4%).
The primary factor driving growth in the sector is the increase in the world's population, which is expected to reach almost 10 billion people by 2050. This is driving a steadily rising demand for agriculture and food production , and consequently for agricultural raw materials such as seeds and grains. The market's main driver is therefore demographic growth, but there is also the need to adapt agricultural varieties to climate change. This is a strong argument in favor of seed companies, who are investing in R&D to adapt their offering.
In fact, this is what the world leader Vilmorin & Cie is doing , with the French company at the top of the market investing 16% of its revenues in R&D by 2021. The seed subsidiary of the Limagrain cooperative is the world's number one in vegetable seeds, even overtaking the giants Bayer-Monsanto and Syngenta. It has recently positioned itself in the fennel, lamb's lettuce, spinach, chard and radish markets, strategically targeting niches for growth.
In 2020, the Covid-19 epidemic had no significant impact on the sector, while the Russian-Ukrainian crisis underway since February 2022 has brought its share of bad news. In 2021, the two countries concerned accounted for almost 12% of French seed companies' exports, and they generated substantial sales there.
1.2 The global market
The global seed market was valued at US$** billion in ****, and is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of *.*% to reach US$**.* billion in ****.
World seed market World, **** - ****, in billions of USD Source: ****
The sector's growth is driven by the ever-increasing population and, consequently, by the growing need for ...
1.3 The domestic market
The French seed industry is a very important sector, both nationally and internationally. Indeed, the French market ranks first in Europe, and third worldwide, behind the United States and China. The seeds market has been growing for several years, reaching *.* billion euros in **** - ****. It grew by *.*% between **** - **** and **** - ...
1.4 Balance of trade
France is by far the leading seed producer in Europe. It produces far more than it consumes, and a large proportion of its production is exported, mainly to its European neighbors. In fact, the latter received **.*% of French exports in ****. The coverage rate (***) is therefore very high. It is generally around ...
2 Demand analysis
2.1 Growing food demand
The world's population has been exploding in recent years. On November *, ****, the world's population reached * billion. On average, the population has grown by *.*% every year since ****.
World population trends World, **** - ****, in billions of people Source: ****
This upward trend is set to continue in the years ahead. Indeed, projections estimate that ...
2.2 Confidence in farmers drives local demand
Farming is a particularly popular profession in the French imagination. Indeed, although farmers don't always feel the support of the general public, **% of French people have a good opinion of farmers. In fact, farmers rank in the top * of French people's favorite professions, behind firefighters (***).
French people's favorite professions France, ****, in Source: ...
2.3 Stakeholders' needs drive farmers' choices
Farmers have to adapt to the needs of the population in order to offer appropriate products. Crops and seeds must correspond both to what the French buy for their food, and to the needs of producers, distributors and manufacturers.
Semences de France has drawn up a ranking called"Les Préférées ...
3 Market structure
3.1 Seeds and seeds value chain
The seeds and grains market involves many players, who must coordinate their efforts to meet public demand.
Source: ****
3.2 Very specific professions
Breeders
Breeders, and more generally plant breeding companies, produce first-generation seeds. This research work is carried out both in the fields and greenhouses, and in the laboratory. The business model of these companies is based on research and development. On average, they invest **% of their sales in R&D, compared with ...
3.3 The main players
Industry organizations
The Fédération Nationale des Agriculteurs-Multiplicateurs de Semences(***) was founded in **** to promote seed production in France and defend the interests of seed growers. It represents some **,*** farmers in the industry in dealings with public authorities. The federation's mission is to study the entire seed-growing process, and to ...
4 Offer analysis
4.1 Different types of seeds
There are many varieties of seeds and grains, divided into several categories and sub-categories. These seeds are grown in different ways and do not require the same soil and weather conditions to thrive. For this reason, many farmers grow only one species or variety, adapted to the local climate and conditions. ...
4.2 Seed prices
Seed prices fluctuate widely. In fact, seed production is highly variable from one year to the next, due to the vagaries of the weather; prices are therefore also affected. In recent years, farm-gate prices for seeds and seedlings have experienced several inflationary periods (***). While prices were on a downward trend until ...
4.3 Supply trends: organic and nutrition
Organic farming on the up
The development of organic farming in the seed sector is complex, but is becoming increasingly widespread. Although certain obstacles persist and do not favor this type of cultivation, the R&D departments of companies, as well as the work of breeders, should be able to alleviate ...
4.4 Concerns about seed availability
Shrinking farmland
The number of hectares available for seed multiplication in France is declining every year. In the forage and turf sector, acreage has fallen by **% in favor of field crops, and farmers have effectively had to make their own choices. The aforementioned surge in cereal and oilseed prices has prompted ...
5 Regulations
5.1 General seed regulations
Registration of varieties in official catalogs
In order to be marketed, a variety must be registered in the official French catalogs. It is then registered directly at European Union level, in catalogs listing all varieties authorized in the territories concerned. To do so, a variety must be different from those already ...
List of charts
- Seeds sales
- Breakdown of sales by seed category
- Balance of trade for seeds
- Distribution of farmers - multipliers by type of seed
- Breeders by type of seed
All our studies are available online in PDF format
Take a look at an example of our research on another market!
Latest news
Vilmorin bids farewell to the Paris Bourse after Limagrain's successful takeover bid - 11/08/2023
- Vilmorin is the world's fourth largest seed company.
- Its historical shareholder, the Limagrain cooperative, held 71.25% of its shares.
- Limagrain had crossed the threshold of 90% of the French seeds company's capital and voting rights.
- Vilmorin was valued at 1.43 billion euros, with 7,200 employees.
- The company's sales for fiscal 2021-2022 were 1.587 billion euros, with net income of 95.4 million euros.
- Limagrain is present in 49 countries and is owned by 1,300 farmers.
Seeds: Germany's Bayer invests in Landes | Bayer invests in Landes - 04/08/2023
- Investment of 11 million euros for new corn and rapeseed production line at Peyrehorade plant
- Bayer invests between 30 and 50 million euros annually at its 9 French sites
- Bayer's seed business generated sales of 465 million euros last year, i.e. around a third of sales in France
- Acquisition of the plant when Monsanto was acquired in 2018 Employment of 200 permanent staff and 270 seasonal workers at peak times.
Perles d'Anjou quinoa plant to be delivered in 2024 - 05/06/2023
- Project initiated by CAPL (Coopérative agricole des Pays de la Loire) and Abbottagra, players in the Quinoa d'Anjou sector.
- CAPL: sales of 246 million euros by 2022.
- Quinoa d'Anjou chain created 15 years ago.
- 400 producers involved.
- Annual production of around 3,000 tonnes.
- French and European leader in quinoa production.
- Perles d'Anjou industrial site under construction, 22,000 m2 on a 7-hectare site.
- Investment of 16 million euros.
- Target markets: food industry, supermarkets, specialty stores and foodservice.
Limagrain wants to take seed company Vilmorin off the stock market - 02/05/2023
- Vilmorin is the world's fourth largest seed company.
- The cooperative Limagrain, Vilmorin's controlling shareholder, holds 71.25% of the shares and will launch a simplified tender offer for the remaining 28.75%.
- The seed company generated around 10% of its sales in Russia and Ukraine.
- The Limagrain cooperative group boasts sales of 2.1 billion euros and net income of 82 million euros.
- Every year, Vilmorin invests over 16% of its sales in research and development.
- Vilmorin generates around 75% of its sales from field seeds and 25% from vegetable seeds.
Vilmorin: First-half profits thanks to field crops. - 31/03/2023
- Sales for the first half (to end December) of the 2022/2023 financial year: 706.5 million euros
- - Sales growth: 24.6%
- - Organic growth: 19.6%
- - Field seeds (61.2% of sales): 38.3% increase
- - Vegetable Seeds: 0.7% decline
Neonicotinoid ban: seed company Deleplanque develops new beet varieties - 13/03/2023
- Yellows destroyed 60% of the French sugar beet harvest in 2018
- The company generates annual sales of €145 million and employs 500 people worldwide
- This is a unique business opportunity for the Deleplanque Group, Europe's second-largest seed company and France's third-largest sugar beet producer
Companies quoted in this study
This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :
Choosing this study means :
Access to more than 35 hours of work
Our studies are the result of over 35 hours of research and analysis. Using our studies allows you to devote more time and added value to your projects.
Benefit from 6 years' experience and over 1,500 industry reports already produced
Our expertise enables us to produce comprehensive studies in all sectors, including niche and emerging markets.
Our know-how and methodology enable us to produce reports that offer unique value for money.
Access to several thousand articles and paid-for data
Businesscoot has access to all the paid economic press as well as exclusive databases to carry out its market research (over 30,000 articles and private sources).
To enhance our research, our analysts also use web indicators (semrush, trends, etc.) to identify market trends and company strategies. (Consult our paying sources)
Guaranteed support after your purchase
A team dedicated to after-sales service, to guarantee you a high level of satisfaction. +44 238 097 0676
A digital format designed for our users
Not only do you have access to a PDF, but also to a digital version designed for our customers. This version gives you access to sources, data in Excel format and graphics. The content of the study can therefore be easily retrieved and adapted for your specific needs.
Our offers :
The seed and grains market | France
- What are the figures on the size and growth of the market?
- What is driving the growth of the market and its evolution?
- What is the positioning of companies in the value chain?
- Data from several dozen databases
Pack 5 études (-15%) France
- 5 études au prix de 75,6€HT par étude à choisir parmi nos 800 titres sur le catalogue France pendant 12 mois
- Conservez -15% sur les études supplémentaires achetées
- Choisissez le remboursement des crédits non consommés au terme des 12 mois (durée du pack)
Consultez les conditions du pack et de remboursement des crédits non consommés.
Our customer references
They have consulted our studies
Discover the opinions (+500)
Malcolm Vincent
Astoria Finance
Gregoire de Castelnau
Stags Participations
Timothé Huignard
PWC
Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff
BCG
Aymeric Granet
Publicis Consultant
interviews & case studies
All interviews and case studies (45)
