Factors Driving Organic Seed Production and Cultivar Development for Europe's Organic Farming Sector

Abstract

Europe's organic seed and breeding sector faces significant challenges but also presents promising growth opportunities. The organic seed market in Europe remains underdeveloped due to unresolved technical and socio-economic issues. There is a persistent demand for non-organic plant reproductive material, primarily because of the inadequate supply of sufficient organic seed and planting materials that meet the diverse requirements for organic growing conditions. When farmers continuously use non-organic seeds, it diminishes the incentive to develop seeds and cultivars suited for organic cultivation. Financial resources for breeding varieties tailored to various European farming conditions are limited, and organic seed production is often more expensive than conventional seed production, requiring higher investments. Despite these hurdles, there are promising prospects for the future. The EU's organic seed market has been experiencing steady growth, driven by the increasing demand for organic products. The EU’s Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy aim to convert 25% of farmland to organic by 2030, creating a significant market opportunity. Additionally, the EU Organic Regulation 2018/848 highlights the importance of organic seeds and sets a deadline to phase out derogations that allow non-organic seed usage by the end of the year 2036. This thesis explores the barriers and opportunities for expanding the organic seed and breeding sector in Europe, focusing on seed suppliers, breeders, and policy frameworks. It contributes to the research by addressing a critical gap in the literature and offers new insights into an understudied area. An analysis of seed supplier s’ and breeders’ perspectives reveals that actors face several challenges in providing organic seed and suitable varieties for the organic farming sector in Europe. While smaller companies may encounter financial difficulties and a higher need in training, larger companies seem to encounter technical and organisational challenges. In the context of breeding for the organic farming sector the research shows that mainly very small companies, non-profit initiatives and research institutes perform organic breeding or participatory breeding approaches with a strong focus for diversity. Despite these challenges, there are opportunities for growth. Phasing out derogations for non-organic seeds and providing subsidies could encourage organic seed use. Companies that offer both organic and conventional seeds can navigate market fluctuations more effectively. Addressing technical and regulatory challenges will be key to developing a robust organic seed market that supports sustainable agriculture and meets consumer expectations. The analysis of Germany’s organic cereal seed sector reveals growth, with more farmers adopting organic seeds and reducing reliance on non-organic seeds. Germany’s national organic database, organicXseeds.de, could improve market transparency and influence farmer behaviour. A study of ten EU member states highlights that multi-actor approaches can improve governance and foster collaboration. Effective policies should focus on transparency, accountability, and participation, involving local stakeholders to ensure policies align with on-the-ground realities. In conclusion, the thesis suggests that improved governance, greater stakeholder involvement, and consistent policies are key to advancing the organic seed and breeding sector in Europe.