b'CERTIFIED SEED AND GLOBAL MARKETSOpening Doors to International MarketsCanadas highly-regarded certified seed is creating all kinds of international opportunities for seed producers and sellers in this country. Industry experts say the Canadian brand gives buyers a sense of added confidence.ITS NO SECRET that Canadian certified seed is highly regarded by many buyers around the globe. In 2017-18, Canada exported just over $645 million worth of seed to international buyers, with a good chunk of those sales being certified varieties.Dave Carey, executive director of the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA), says what makes Canadian certified seed appealing to buyers in other parts of the world is that it provides increased predictability and risk mitigation in an increasingly volatile world of international trade. Greg Stamp is the seed sales manager for Dave Carey is the executive director of the I think certified seed and theStamp Seed. Canadian Seed Trade Association.corresponding blue tag holds a lot of weight as a brand. When it comeswere followed by yellow dent cornFor example, many seed companies, to importing seed through Canadasseed ($78.2 million), lentil seeds ($76.7including those producing forages and certified seed systemit gives peoplemillion), bean seeds ($47.5 million) andgrasses, employ their own in-house a sense of confidence that what theyresoya beans ($46.9 million). Meanwhile,seed analysts to check for germination importing or buying is of the highestcertified alfalfa seed sales totaled $44.8and vigour and to ensure there is not quality and has traceability, he says. million. genetically enhanced or modified It definitely opens doors for Canadiancontent.seed exports when we have a robustIncreased Confidence Certified Canadian seed really certified seed system. We have seed cropNot surprisingly, the United Statesprovides a high level of confidence for an inspections, CFIA oversight and auditingis Canadas biggest trading partnerimporter to know that when they import of the seed crop inspection services. Its allwhen it comes to international seedseed from Canada that theyre getting the the pieces of the puzzleand lets peoplesales. Canada exported $403.2 millionbest quality, he adds.know that that seed is of the highestworth of seed to the United States inWhat people [buyers] want and what quality and has met all the rigours that go2017-18, which represents slightly moreseed companies really strive to dointo producing certified seed. than 62 per cent of the countrys totaland put their reputations on the line That $645 million in Canadian seedinternational seed sales. The Unitedforis you want to is to achieve a high exports represents a harmonized salesStates was followed by China ($46.7level of have uniformity. You dont want count, which includes both certified seedmillion), Ireland ($30.8 million), Japanto have one bag thats great and the next and common seed. While its difficult to($19.1 million), Turkey ($12.7 million),has poor germination and you dont get determine an exact breakdown betweenthe Netherlands ($12.2 million) andgood stand.the two, Carey says a significant portionNepal ($11.2 million).of those sales is certified seed. Carey says another major factor inEasy NavigationLeading the way in 2017-18 was peathe appeal of Canadian certified seedThe Canadian certification system is also seeds used for sowing, with total exportsto international buyers is the millionsfar easier to navigate for international valued at about $91.8 million. Theyof dollars that go into testing each year.buyers than it is in some other countries, 14seed.ab.ca'