b'seed program with Stamp Seeds doing according to Carey. For example, CanadaFurtas says. This gives them an edgethe higher pedigree and certified has one set of rules and regulationsin their market over their competitors.production for this value chain.that apply to each and every province.It also gives them an advantage with aStamp says he sees there being plenty Compare that to the United States whichquality assurance system thats creatingof further opportunities down the road, has a patchwork system with more thansome confidence in their ingredients.both for his company and others, as three dozen state certification systems. That helps them with marketing qualityfood processors and consumers alike I think keeping it at that one level [inassurance and perhaps capturing thedemand to know more about where the Canada] allows for greater uniformitypremium market thats out there. ingredients they use come from and how and predictability, Carey adds. So, what can seed growers, farmersthey are produced.As robust as international seed salesand sellers do to get a foot in the door ofI definitely think those premium have been of late, the CSTA recentlythese international markets? markets like Japan, where people want began work on a market developmentFurtas says it all comes down togreater quality and predictability and study for its members to help identifyrelationship building, whether thats withreliability, theyre going to want to know emerging markets that may currentlythe end user, grain buyers, commoditythe exact value chain and where it came be underserved. Those markets includebrokers or whoever has demand. from, he says.Turkey, Eastern Europe includingNot everybody can participate in theseI think the more predictable we can Ukraine and Kazakhstan, and Japan.markets, but then again not everybodybe, and certified seed certainly helps to Carey says Japan is a particularlywants to, he adds. It if fits yourmaintain that predictability in products important market, not just because of theoperation and you can manage it, I thinkfor end users, I think thats going to number of consumers there, but becausethere are opportunities out there. But itbecome more and more important as the country is also a trendsetter in Asiatakes time on the phone and buildingend users demand specific qualities. and the decisions it makes can have athese types of relationships. You have toThey want to be able to trace it back to profound impact on a number of othermake those relationships. the start and I think theres going to be countries in the region. more and more of that.Ukraine is another priority market forInternational Relationships Ron Wirsta is the general manager of Canada because its growing conditionsGreg Stamp has first-hand experienceSt. Paul Seed Processors and Exports in are very similar to those on the Canadianwith how important it is to build thoseeast-central Alberta, a co-op comprised Prairies. Two Canadian seed companieskinds of international relationships.of more than 500 active producer are already specializing in exports to thatStamp is the seed sales managermembers. It exports products sourced country. for Stamp Seed in Enchant, Alta. Thefrom certified seed, including a number As they get their system in place, thefamily-owned business recently beganof pulses, as far away as India, Indonesia Ukrainian government is looking atproducing and marketing Daniello, aand the Philippines.intellectual property and plant breedersnew type of hybrid rye, as part of anCanadian pulses grown from certified rights as a way to get new and betteragreement with KWS, the German-basedseed sources are eagerly sought out by varieties into the hands of their farmersplant breeding company that developedforeign markets, Wirsta says, because as they move towards more modernthe variety. The deal was facilitatedof their high quality and the fact that agriculture, Carey says. through the Southern Alberta SeedNetcustomers want to know what variety group of independent seed growers. they are buying. His group also has Gaining a Market Edge Were getting genetics we never hadthe advantage of being located close Ryan Furtas, a market analyst with theaccess to before with the certified seedto the West Coast and is able to get its economics and competitiveness branchmodel, Stamp says. Were able to accessproducers product to port in Vancouver of Albertas Agriculture and Forestrymore and provide more value to ourin as few as four or five days, which Department, says one of the mostcustomers with these hybrid ryes. As far asis much faster than provinces located lucrative opportunities for the Canadianadding value, these hybrids have 20 to 40further east. seed sector is working with growers whoper cent yield advantage over traditional supply product to end users, such asrye varieties, so its a huge bump in whatForeign Marketsfood processors and the premium foodsfarmers are seeing on their returns. Wirsta says there are a number of foreign market, both here and overseas. ThatStamp Seed is also one of a handfulmarkets where there is an opportunity can be for anything from the wheat usedof companies collaborating withfor the Canadian seed sector to grow its in higher quality breads to the maltsmultinational brewing company Molsonfootprint with branded specific varieties used to brew your favourite craft beer orCoors to develop a new variety ofrequested from overseas buyers. Egypt gluten-free oats for people suffering frommalting barley. Bill Coors 100 is a two- and South Africa, in particular, are both celiac disease. rowed, spring variety bred by Molsongrowing markets.Several of these end users, suchCoors in Burley, Idaho. A number ofWeve just touched base with them as food processors, are demandingfarms in southern Alberta have beenabout shipping them some of ourproducts made from certified seed,contracted to grow it as part of a certifiedhigh-protein products. Just because of Fall 2019 15'